Nock Mountains

Avoid easily recognisable wind slabs

Avoid easily recognisable wind slabs

The avalanche danger is moderate above 2000 metres and low below. Small to medium slab avalanches can still be triggered in very steep terrain by low additional loads. Most avalanche prone locations are on north-west, north to south-east facing slopes, behind ridges and in gullies and bowls. The wind slab is easily recognisable and should be avoided. Cracks and whumpfing collapsing sounds when walking on the snow cover, snowpack indicate danger.

Under the influence of mild air and sunlight, the snow cover, snowpack has settled and become cardboardy up to around 2000 metres. It has at least a thin melt-freeze crust in the morning. At higher altitudes, the wind slab from the weekend is still prone to triggering in places. The transition to the old snowpack (faceted crystals on/under the crust) usually serves as a weak layer. It consists of layers of faceted crystals, deep rime and melt-freeze crusts. Surface-triggered avalanches can tear through to the ground. The total snow depth is still well below average. Ridges and ridges are often completely blown off.

After a slightly cloudy night, Friday will bring good visibility and sunny weather, although some high clouds will cloud the sky. The wind will remain mainly weak. At 2000 metres between -3 degrees on the Katschberg and +3 degrees on the Hochkönig, at 3000 metres around -4 degrees.

Little change in most of the region. Only in the Tennengebirge and on the Gosaukamm can a revival of the southerly foehn create fresh wind slabs and increase the avalanche prone locations.