Nock Mountains

Freshly generated snowdrifts prone to triggering

Freshly generated snowdrifts prone to triggering

Avalanche danger above 1800m is moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Freshly generated snowdrift accumulations can in some places be triggered by one sole skier. Avalanches tend to be small-sized. Wherever there is more than 20cm of fresh snow, avalanches can reach medium-size. On very steep shady slopes, weak layers can fracture and be swept along. On extremely steep slopes, small loose-snow avalanches can be expected. Isolated small naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches are possible.

The fresh fallen snow (10-20cm) will be transported by northerly winds. On shady slopes above 1800-2000m snowdrifts will accumulate atop an often loosely-packed surface. In places the surface hoar will be blanketed. Inside the old snowpack there are weak layers on very steep shady slopes: on the one hand the snow has expansively metamorphosed, particularly near ground level where the snow is shallow; on the other, below near-surface melt-freeze crusts, faceted crystals have formed. On shady wind-protected slopes there is still loose, dry snow to be found.

On Friday, visibility often limited by dense clouds, bright intervals will increase only as evening approaches. Intermittent light-to-moderate snowfall. Substantial amounts of 20cm of fresh snow are possible directly on the Main Tauern Ridge, elsewhere only 5-10cm is anticipated. Moderate NW/NE winds blowing, on the Main Alpine Ridge and in the Lungau brisk winds. At 2000m: between -14 and -10 degrees; at 3000m: between 17 and -13 degrees.

Avalanche danger levels will recede as the precipitation tapers off