Nock Mountains

Avoid easily recognisable wind slabs

Avoid easily recognisable wind slabs

The avalanche danger is moderate above 2000 metres and low below. Small to medium slab avalanches can still be triggered in very steep terrain by low additional loads. Most avalanche prone locations are on north-west, north to south-east facing slopes, behind ridges and in gullies and bowls. The wind slab is easily recognisable and should be avoided. Cracks and whumpfing collapsing sounds when walking on the snow cover, snowpack indicate danger.

Under the influence of mild air and sunlight, the snow cover, snowpack has settled and become cardboardy up to around 2000 metres. In the morning it has at least a thin melt-freeze crust, and up to around 1900 metres it also has a crust of rain ice. At higher altitudes, older wind slab is still prone to triggering in places. The transition to the old snowpack (faceted crystals on/under the crust) usually serves as a weak layer. It consists of layers of faceted crystals, deep rime and melt-freeze crusts. Surface-triggered avalanches can tear through to the ground. The total snow depth is still well below average. Ridges and ridges are often completely blown off.

After a slightly cloudy night, Saturday will bring plenty of sunshine in the northern Alps. In Lungau, fog and clouds will restrict visibility at least up to the tree line. The wind will be mostly weak, moderately strong from the south in the Tennengebirge. Temperatures at 2000 metres will be up to +4 degrees in the north and around -2 degrees in the Nockberge.

Little change in most of the region. From the Steinberge to the Gosaukamm, the southerly foehn is picking up. There is an increase in avalanche prone locations due to fresh wind slab.