Nock Mountains

NW winds are generating new trigger-sensitive snowdrifts

NW winds are generating new trigger-sensitive snowdrifts

Avalanche danger above 1800 m is CONSIDERABLE, below that altitude danger is LOW. Freshly generated snow (on Wednesday 25 cm of cold fresh snow) and brisk winds from N/NW generated snowdrift accumulations. A slab can be easily triggered, will probably remain small-sized. The frequency of danger zones increases with ascending altitude. Most avalanche prone locations are near ridgelines, but are possible also distant from ridgelines. Snowdrifts from the beginning of the week are generally triggereable by large additional loading or else on very steep gullies through minimum additional loading. Due to the unfavourable snowpack layering, superficial avalanches could fracture down to deeper layers and thereby grow to dangerously large size. On very steep rocky slopes, small loose-snow avalanches are possible.

On a snowpack showing heavy impact from foehn wind from the beginning of the week, a few cm of fresh snow has been deposited. Exposed terrain is utterly windblown, Gullies and bowls are filled to the brim with drifts. The old snowpack has both in embedded layers and at ground level become expansively metamorphosed, atop of which are melt-freeze crusts and, just below the surface, embedded hoar.

On Wednesday night, up to 5-10 cm of fresh snow is expected. On Thursday, reduced visibility due to fog, occasional cloud dispersals. A bit of intermittent snowfall in the morning (5-10 cm). Winds will be moderate to strong from NW. At 2000 m: -12 degrees; at 3000 M. -17 degrees. On Friday, the peaks will often be wreathed in clouds plus snow showers. Westerly winds will be light. At 2000 m: -14 degrees; at 3000 m: -18 degrees.

Fresh snowfall and wind will generate new snowdrift accumulations.