Nock Mountains

Intermittent nocturnal rainfall still possible, snow transport by NW winds during the day

Intermittent nocturnal rainfall still possible, snow transport by NW winds during the day

Danger above 1500 m is CONSIDERABLE (3), below that altitude MODERATE (2). Main problem: fresh snowdrifts. Danger zones occur above all in steep gullies and bowls as well as near ridgeline, especially on steep NE/E/SW facing slopes. Even one person can trigger an avalanche. Backcountry tours require much experience in assessing danger on-site. On extremely steep slopes below 1800 m, small-to-medium glide-snow avalanches are possible.

After some rainfall up to 2000m, there was 20-50 cm of fresh snow registered on Saturday, up to 80 cm above 2000 m. The proneness to triggering of the fresh snow is high above the treeline, due to W/N winds since Saturday afternoon. Potential weak layer: the cold, loose fresh snow beneath the bonded fresher snow. Below 1600 to 1800 m, the snowpack is often gliding over smooth ground.

On Saturday night the snowfall will come to an end, only a few last centimetres are expected, and the clouds will begin to disperse from the west. On Sunday, good visibility and sunshine. Final residual clouds and swaths of fog (esp. in eastern mountain ranges) will soon disperse. The NW wind will swiftly slacken off, no longer disturb. Temperatures will rise: at 2000 m from -15 to -10 degrees; at 3000 m to -17 degrees. On Sunday night, skies will be clear. During the daytime hours on Monday, adequate visibility, heavy cloud cover, diffuse light conditions, but the peaks will be free by and large. It will remain dry. The southerly wind will be light to moderate (up to 30 km/hr). Temperatures will rise further. At midday -2 to -5 degrees at 2000m; at 3000m -8 degrees.

Also on Monday, a still considerable snowdrift problem at high altitudes. As temperatures rise measurably at all altitudes the snow will settle further and proneness to triggering recede.