Nock Mountains

Very few danger zones, weak layer in old snow

Very few danger zones, weak layer in old snow

Avalanche danger is low. There are very few potential avalanche prone locations where large additional loading can invariably trigger a slab from the persistent weak layer, most likely on extremely steep slopes with relatively shallow-snow above about 2200 m in E/N aspects. Shallow-snow and extremely steep slopes near ridgelines should be assessed critically or, even better, circumvented. The danger of taking a fall on steel-hard surface outweighs the danger of triggering an avalanche.

Strong, sometimes storm-strength W/S winds, mild temperatures, minimal new snow at high altitudes (or rain below 1700 m) have further deteriorated snow quality. Melt-freeze crusts on the surface (hard as steel, icy, breakable, snowdrift patches) dominate, crests and ridges are utterly windblown. Beneath the crusts is a soft layer. A potential trigger-sensitive layer of faceted and soft snow crystals is evident starting at 2000/2200m on E/N facing slopes. This weak layer is currently not triggerable or else too small and not area-wide.

On Sunday, visibiliity is generally adequate, although light conditions are rather diffuse due to cloudbanks passing through. Winds mostly light. At 2000 m: -1 degree: at 3000 m: -8 degrees. On Monday, the day will begin with sunshine. Later in the day, thin clouds far above the summits will pass through. At 2000 m: -2 degrees; at 3000 m: -7 degrees.

No significant change is expected.