Nock Mountains

Consistently avoid steep drift snow areas

The snow surface is strongly characterised by the wind; blown-off broad ridges and crests lie close to fields of drifting snow that are prone to triggering. This bonded snow overlays soft, faceted layers, and in wind-protected, shady areas above around 2000 metres, surface hoar. Fractures occur either in soft layers near the surface or around the crust that forms the transition to the completely built-up old snow foundation.

Consistently avoid steep drift snow areas

The avalanche risk is considerable above the tree line and moderate below. The number and extent of avalanche prone locations increase rapidly with altitude, depending on the influence of the wind. Even a single person can trigger a medium-sized slab avalanche in some places. In particular, be careful near transitions from little to more snow and in the blown-in entrance areas to steep gullies. The fresh drift snow is usually easy to recognise and should be consistently avoided.

It will snow moderately to heavily for a few hours on Saturday evening and during the night with snowfall levels around 1300 metres and 5 to 15 cm of new fallen snow. The wind will still be strong in places, with gale-force winds from north-west to north in exposed areas. The precipitation will subside after midnight. The sun will only come through briefly on Sunday morning, but the clouds will soon close in again. It may snow lightly again in the Tauern region from around midday. The wind will still be blowing briskly from the west/northwest in the Tauern region, otherwise it will ease considerably. It will be milder at all altitudes: At 2000 m -3 to +2 degrees, at 3000 m -5 degrees.

Little change on Monday. The wind slab problem continues to require caution and restraint.