Nock Mountains

Fresh snowdrift accumulations. Weak layer in places.

Fresh snowdrift accumulations. Weak layer in places.

Avalanche danger rapidly increases above the trereline: above 1800 m danger is MODERATE. Fresh snowdrift accumulations can in places be triggered even by the weight of one sole skier and release a medium-sized avalanche. Danger zones occur mostly in ridgeline terrain and pass areas as well as behind abrupt discontinuties in the terrain on W/N/NE facing slopes. In the foehn lanes this could also apply to east-facing gullies which were filled laterally by winds with drifts. Danger zones are easily recognized and should be circumvented. In addition, naturally triggered glide-snow avalanches of medium size are possible on steep grassy slopes in all aspects, mostly in south-facing terrain, below 2400 m. Zones below glide cracks should be avoided whenever possible.

The drifts generated over the weekend (W/N/NE) have settled thanks to higher temperatures, lie deposited atop a loose snowpack surface where there are prone to triggering in places. Apart from the new ddrifts the snowpack has settled quite well, fresh snow and drifts from the weekend are well bonded with the old snowpack. On south-facing slopes in steep terrain there is a thin melt-freeze crust on the surface. In other aspects there is often good powder in wind-protected terrain.

On Saturday, cloudbanks will pass through in the daytime hours, light will become diffuse but visibility remain adequate. Winds from W/NW will intensify, reach 30 km/hr in high altitude open terrain. At 2000 m: -2 degrees; at 3000 m: -7 degrees.

As W/NW winds intensify, fresh snowdrift accumulations will be generated, while the proneness to triggering of older drifts is receding. No significant change is expected.