Nock Mountains

Increase in frequency of danger zones during the day

Increase in frequency of danger zones during the day

Near the timberline and upwards, avalanche danger will rise to CONSIDERABLE during the afternoon. Below that altitude danger is LOW. Main danger: fresh snowdrift accumulations generated by NW winds in the last few days, often triggerable as medium slab avalanche by one person. Danger zones occur in gullies and bowls, behind abrupt discontinuities in the terrain on very steep (>35°) E/S facing slopes. As a result of fresh snow and wind, danger zones will increase during the daytime, esp. in the afternoon, in both frequency and size. Poor visibility makes these places not visible to the naked eye. Surface releases can in very isolated cases fracture down to more deeply embedded layers of the snowpack and grow to larger size.

Fresh snow is expected (15-20 cm) often amid strong W/NW winds, thus, it will be transported. Heavy snowfall is anticipated in the afternoon, generating far-reaching snowdrift accumulations, which will be deposited in leeward terrain, often atop soft layers. In addition, older snowdrifts are poorly bonded with the snowpack beneath them. In very isolated cases, trigger-sensitive weak layer lurk inside the snowpack base.

On Thursday, ongoing clouds will move in from the northwest, repeated bouts of snowfall are expected, especially heavy starting at midday. Often strong NW winds. At 3000 m: -13 degrees; at 2000 m: -5 degrees.

On Friday, only a small amount of snowfall is expected. Winds will be stormy in the afternoon. The situation is not expected to change much. The snowdrift accumulations are the problem.