Nock Mountains

Heed signs of wind. Avoid snowdrifts.

Heed signs of wind. Avoid snowdrifts.

Avalanche danger is increasing, depending on wind impact at high altitudes, to CONSIDERABLE above 1600 m, danger is MODERATE below that altitude. The snowdrifts can be triggered as a slab of small-to-medium size even by minimum additional loading. Releases can fracture down to more deeply embedded layers inside the snowpack. Most danger zones occur on E/S/W facing slopes both near to and distant from ridgelines and in steep gullies in all aspects. In the afternoon, danger will increase further (within the Danger Level 3).

Stormy NW to NE winds on Saturday transported the snow far-reachingly. Exposed terrain is utterly windblown, gullies and bowls are filled to the brim with drifts. Bonding between cold, brittle snowdrifts and the blanketed fresh snow is poor. Also the old snowpack itself is unfavourably layered, i.e. beneath melt-freeze crusts are large, soft, faceted crystals and also depth hoar. Fresh snow, persistent wind and rising temperatures will increase avalanche danger in the afternoon.

On Monday in the Nockberge, fog and heavy cloud, poor visibility. Snowfall from the south, intensive and persistent as of afternoon. Above the treeline, a N/NE wind will be blowing (30-40 km/hr). At 2000 m: -7 degrees.

Monday evening and during Monday night: persistent heavy snowfall amid rising temperatures. Increasing fresh snow problem and rising avalanche danger levels.