Nock Mountains

Small snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes

Small snowdrift accumulations at high altitudes

Avalanche danger above 2400m is MODERATE, below that altitude danger is LOW. Due to some fresh snow and wind, fresh snowdrift accumulations have been generated in ridgeline terrain and behind abrupt drops in the terrain, trigger-sensitive on shady slopes. Likelihood of triggering and size of avalanches increase somewhat with ascending altitude. In case of solar radiation, in the afternoon, small loose-snow avalanches are possible on extremely steep (>40°) slopes. In very isolated cases, small glide-snow avalanches are possible on steep grassy slopes.

Above 1800 m there was 5-15 cm of snowfall by Monday morning, amid moderate to strong winds which transported the fresh snow. On Tuesday, an additional 5-15 cm will be added to it. Small snowdrift accumulations are being deposited on shady slopes atop a soft unfavorable snowpack surface where they are prone to triggering. In other aspects and further down, the snow has become wetter or is deposited atop a soft unfavorable snowpack surface, below 2400 m the snowpack is often wet down to the ground. Below 1600 m there is hardly any snow on the ground.

On Tuesday, again unfavorable backcountry touring conditions, dense clouds, snow showers above 1200-1500 m, brief thunderstorms possible. Dry phases possible in the morning. Winds light to moderate from W/NW. At 2000 m: -3 or -2 degrees; at 3000 m: -10 or -9 degrees.

Wednesday: snowdrift accumulations remain prone to triggering esp. on shady slopes. Amid milder temperatures and intermittent sunshine, wet-snow and glide-snow avalanches possible.