Nock Mountains

Fresh + older snowdrifts

Fresh + older snowdrifts

As of about 2000 m, avalanche danger is MODERATE, below that altitude risks are LOW. Snowdrifts are near to and distant from ridgelines, the frequency of avalanche prone locations increases with ascending altitude. Slabs are generally small-to-medium sized, the plates often break, but rarely down to deep layers. Mostly large additional loading (or very unfavourable spot in the terrain, e.g. transitions from shallow to more snow in a gully) necessary to trigger a release. Very isolated small naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches are possible.

Maximum 10-15 cm of fresh snow blanked a shallow old snowpack which prior to the snowfall was sticky or moist up to 2600 m due to rain. Strong NW winds deposited fresh shallow drifts mostly to E/S slopes, massing them in gullies. The settled old snow (due to the warmth) is concentrated in wind-loaded gullies and bowls of all aspects. On high alpine shady slopes the layering is unfavourable due to a sequence of melt-freeze crusts and faceted crystals inside the fundament, in some cases with embedded hoar. On steep grassy slopes the snowpack glides over the ground in some places.

On Saturday the light snowfall will end, later on clouds will move in, sunshine is expected in the afternoon. In the Tauern the NW winds will reach 50 km/hr. At 2000 m; -11 degrees; at 3000 m; -14 degrees. On Sunday, top visibility, great sunshine, light winds from the south, rising temperatures. At 2000 m; 0 degrees; at 3000 m; -7 degrees.

On Sunday, small naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches are possible in sun-bathed rocky terrain. On sunny slopes the snow will become sticky up to intermediate altitude. Moderate snowdrift problem at high and high alpine altitudes.