Nock Mountains

Moderate snowdrift problem above the treeline

Moderate snowdrift problem above the treeline

Avalanche danger levels above the treeline are moderate, below that altitude danger is low. Snowdrifts of medium size can be triggered even by minimum additional loading above the treeline, near gulliees and bowls on NW/N/SE facing slopes. Below the treeline the avalanches will mostly be small sized. Above 2200m avalanches can trigger in more deeply embedded weak layers inside the snowpack and in isolated cases grow to large size. Snowdrifts can be difficult to recognize due to poor visibility.

The fresh fallen snow has been heftily transported. Exposed ridges and crests are windblown, gullies and bowls near the treeline are often filled. Inside the fresh and older drifts there are weak near-surface layers. The bonding to the old snow above the treeline is inadequiate, several weak layers are evident with faceted crystals.

Final snow showers will gradually slacken off after midnight. Also the stormy winds will ease off, yet remain feelable (80 km/hr at midnight easing to 50 km/hr in early morning). On Wednesday, good visibility and widespread sunshine, some high fog might hamper visibility for lower-level ascents. Winds will be noticeable only at high altitudes of the Tauern and Nockberge (40-50 km/hr). At 2000m: -5 degrees; at 3000m: -8 degrees.

The proneness to triggering of snowdrift accumulations will gradually diminish.