Nock Mountains

Caution: trigger-sensitive snowdrifts

Caution: trigger-sensitive snowdrifts

Avalanche danger above 1800 m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is LOW. Fresh snowdrift accumulations can be triggered as small-to-medium avalanches even by minimum additional loading on very steep slopes. Danger zones occur esp. near ridgelines, in gullies and bowls, behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain and on very steep E/S facing slopes. They are easily recognized with adequate visibility and should be circumvented. Superficial releases can in isolated cases fracture down to more deeply embedded layers inside the snowpack and grow to larger size, particularly on shady slopes above 2200 m. These danger zones are not visible to the naked eye.

The snowdrifts bond only very slowly with the snowpack beneath them, esp. on shadier slopes. In addition, strong NW winds are still generating fresh snowdrift accumulations, depositing them atop soft layers where they are prone to triggering. The fresh snow from last week has settled well and consolidated. There are isolated weak layers in the snowpack fundament, sometimes melt-freeze crusts, particularly on shady slopes at high altitudes.

On Wednesday, mostly sunny weather apart from the Tauern, but for some harmless clouds. The NW winds will be strong, gusts reaching storm-strength. At 2000 m: -4 degrees.

As a result of the strong W/NW air current, 15-20 cm of fresh snow is expected in the Nockberge on Thursday. Moderate to strong westerly winds will accompany the precipitation. Wide-ranging snowdrift accumlations will be generated. Avalanche danger will increase.