Nock Mountains

Fresh and older snowdrifts

Winds are ongoingly generating fresh snowdrift accumulations. On Friday, strong southerly winds deposited drifts on noth-facing slopes. On Saturday the snow will be blown to east-facing slopes by northerly winds. Exposed terrain is windblown, dominated by melt-freeze crusts and drifted masses. Snow quality is far better in wind-protected terrain; that is where to enjoy powder snow. The old snowpack is relatively compact, in the classic December backcountry touring regions there are no pronounced or relevant weak layers evident.

On Saturday, visibility will be adequate, intermittent sunshine expected over the midday hours. Strong NW winds in the afternoon will gradually ease. Temperatures will rise during the daytime at all altitudes, at 2000 m from -9 to -5 degrees. On Sunday, visibility will improve in the morning, intermittent sunshine expected over the midday hours. Towards evening cloud cover will move in. At 2000 m: -9 to -5 degrees.

Little change in the avalanche situation on Sunday.

Fresh and older snowdrifts

Avalanche danger depends on wind influence. Above the treeline: CONSIDERABLE, below that altitude MODERATE. Avalanche prone locations are concentrated on leeward ridgeline steep slopes in NW/E/S aspects and in steep gullies. Danger zones rapidly become more frequent with ascending altitude above the treeline. Triggering is especially possible by large additional loading (a group, a fall), and in transitions from shallow to deep snow a triggering is possible even by the weight of one sole person. Small-to-medium sized slab avalanches predominate.