Nock Mountains

Naturally triggering wet loose-snow avalanches

Atop a moist old snowpack, 5-10 cm of fresh snow fell at high altitudes, was transported by strong W/N winds. Bonding is favorable. At intermediate altitudes the snowpack has already been thoroughly moistened repeated times. Below 1400 m there is hardly any snow on the ground. Gliding snow activity has receded.

Nocturnal skies will be overcast, minor precipitation expected, snowfall level 1600-2000 m. On Monday, adequate visibility, intermittent minor rain/snowfall, hardly any sunshine. In afternoon, heavier cloud cover, rainfall and snowfall will set in, snowfall level at 1400-1800 m. At 2000 m: 0 degrees; at 3000 m: -6 degrees. Hardly any wind in the morning, strong W/NW winds in afternoon. All in all, 5-10 cm of fresh snow expected, in the Nockberge it will remain dry. On Monday night further snow showers (5-10 cm).

On Tuesday, increasingly sunny. Naturally triggered loose-snow avalanches in sun-drenched steep terrain and in wind-exposed terrain also a snowdrift problem.

Naturally triggering wet loose-snow avalanches

Avalanche danger is low. In steep terrain, small wet loose-snow avalanches and isolated glide-snow (magnitude 1 & 2) avalanches are possible. Small snowdrift accumulations can trigger at high altitudes esp. by large additional loading. The danger of falling outweighs that of snow masses. Beware steep discontinuities in the terrain!