Nock Mountains

Persistent weak layer at high altitudes. Heed fresh snowdrifts.

Persistent weak layer at high altitudes. Heed fresh snowdrifts.

Avalanche danger above 1600 m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is LOW. At high altitudes there are some danger zones in gullies and, increasingly, on steep NE/E/S/SW facing slopes. They are not deep, but often prone to triggering and can grow to small-to-medium sized avalanches through large additional loading. Particularly the transitions from shallow to deep snow are treacherous. Easily triggerable also: fresh snowdrifts on E/S facing slopes, but the greater risk lies in being forced to take a fall.

The fresh snow at the beginning of the week has settled and consolidated in the mild and windless weather, the proneness to triggering of the snowdrifts has receded. Exposed terrain is often windblown, gullies and bowls and sparsely wooded zones are filled to the brim with drifts. Only weak point: soft layers of faceted crystals inside the old snow. On sunny slopes, often melt-freeze crusts. Due to intensifying W/NW winds, fresh snowdrift patches will be generated anew.

On Friday, brief sunshine, then diffuse light conditions due to high-altitude cloud layers. In the afternoon, strong to stormy NW winds (40-60 km/hr) will bring some light snow showers, but only minor amounts. At 2000 m: dropping from -1 to -8 degrees. On Saturday, sunny and excellent visibility amid moderate southerly winds. At 2000 m: -8 degrees.

No significant change on Saturday. Generally favorable conditions, with only local danger zones.