Nock Mountains

Moderate snowdrift problem above the treeline

Moderate snowdrift problem above the treeline

Avalanche danger levels above the treeline are moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Snowdrifts of medium size can be triggered even by minimum additional loading above the treeline, near gulliees and bowls on NW/N/SE facing slopes. Below the treeline the avalanches will mostly be small sized. Above 2200m avalanches can trigger in more deeply embedded weak layers inside the snowpack and in isolated cases grow to large size. Snowdrifts can be difficult to recognize due to poor visibility.

The fresh fallen snow has been heftily transported. Exposed ridges and crests are windblown, gullies and bowls near the treeline are often filled. Inside the fresh and older drifts there are weak near-surface layers. The bonding to the old snow above the treeline is inadequiate, several weak layers are evident with faceted crystals.

In the Nockberge, almost no snowfall is anticipated. Strong to stormy W/N winds (northern foehn wind in the Lungau) will prevail. On Tuesday, visibililty severely limited due to clouds, fog and snowfall. In the Northern Alps, an additional 20cm of fresh snow is expected, elsewhere 10cm. The NW winds will be blowing at brisk to storm strength, reaching peaks of over 100 km/hr on the Main Alpine Ridge. At 2000m: -9 degrrees; at 3000m: -16 degrees.

As Wednesday approaches, avalanche danger levels will not increase significantly.