Nock Mountains

Prone to triggering wind slab on top of weak persistent weak layer locally

Prone to triggering wind slab on top of weak persistent weak layer locally

The avalanche risk is moderate above 1900 metres and low below. Small to medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered by individual winter sports enthusiasts, especially in the western, northern and eastern sectors. This is most likely in the transition from little to more snow and in the fresh, prone-to-triggering snowdrift accumulations. Avalanche prone locations increase rapidly from the tree line, they are partly covered in snow and therefore difficult to recognise. Take particular care in the entrance areas to steep gullies and bowls as well as behind terrain edges.

Around 10 cm of new fallen snow accumulates on an otherwise very variable surface. During the course of the day, some smaller snowdrift accumulations prone to triggering will also form. In general, there are often areas with little snow next to snowdrift accumulations. In places, the older wind slab has been transformed to build up and is soft, in places hard as a board. The old snowpack consists of crusts with faceted crystals in between and deep rime. Breakage usually occurs around the uppermost crust. The total snow depth is well below average.

Snowfall sets in during the first half of the night. By Thursday morning, around 10 cm of new fallen snow accumulates. The snowfall eases noticeably from midday. Dense clouds will often ensure poor visibility until the afternoon. The wind will blow moderately to briskly, this time from the west to north-west. It will be colder: at 2000 metres it will be -5 degrees, at 3000 metres around -11 degrees.

No change in avalanche danger.