Nock Mountains

Pay heed to danger zones due to snowdrifts

Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.

Pay heed to danger zones due to snowdrifts

Avalanche danger is moderate above 2000 m, below that altitude danger is low.  Danger zones due to fresh drifts occur above 2300 m in NW/E/SW aspects on steep slopes, behind discontinuities and in gullies and bowls in all aspects, often a medium avalanche can be triggered by 1 person. Glide-snow avalanches threaten up to summit levels, even large-sized releases are possible, though seldom. Avoid zones below glide cracks.

The snowpack is thoroughly wet up to 1700 m on east-facing slopes, up to 2000 m on west-facing slopes. The 5-15 cm of fresh snow on Friday night is bonding well with the moist snowpack surface, the fresh snowdrifts will be prone to triggering only for a short time. Due to wetness of the snowpack, increased glide-snow activity can be expected on Saturday, despite the lower temperatures.

On Friday evening a cold front will pass through bringing heavy rainfall/snowfall above 1500 m. By midnight the snowfall level will drop to 700 m. The latter part of the night will be dry. About 10 cm of fresh snow is expected. The NW winds will intensify temporarily (at 2000 m, 90 km/hr), slackening off in the latter part of the night. On Saturday, residual clouds will swiftly disperse, the sun will take over. At 2000 m: -7 to -3 degrees.