Nock Mountains

Wet loose-snow and glide-snow avalanches in very steep terrain are the main danger

Wet loose-snow and glide-snow avalanches in very steep terrain are the main danger

Avalanche danger is low. Isolated small loose-snow naturally triggered avalanches are possible or can be triggered by one sole skier. Danger zones for small slab avalanches in the snowdrifts occur seldom on very steep north-facing slopes at high altitudes. On steep grass-covered slopes, isolated small glide-snow avalanches are possible. Apart from the danger of being buried in snow masses, the risks of being swept along and forced to take a fall demand adequate consideration.

Due to reduced nocturnal outgoing longwave radiation the snowpack surface can hardly cool and rapidly softens in the early morning hours. The snowpack is moist in all aspects up to high altitudes. At high altitudes the old snowpack fundament on shady slopes is often poor, but the requisite slab is lacking.

Thursday will initially endure low-lying foglike clouds on the northern flank of the Alps, some rainfall/snowfall is possible, snowfall level at 1600-1800m. Visibility starkly reduced to start with, except at high altitudes. During the daytime hours clouds will disperse but for some residual ones. South of the Tauern, sunshine and brisk northerly winds. At high altitudes on the Main Alpine Ridge, gusts will reach 60 km/hr, elsewhere winds will be lighter. At 2000m: -3 to 0 degrees; at 3000m: -7 degrees. On Thursday night skies will clear up, winds will taper off significantly.

Little change expected. Strong solar radiation and slight rise in daytime temperatures will increase the wet-snow problem at high and high-alpine altitudes.