Vicentine Prealps

The new snow and wind slabs represent the main danger.

The new snow and wind slabs represent the main danger.

Above approximately 1500 m snow fell today over a wide area. In the Dolomites 10 to 15 cm of snow has fallen. Up to 1800 m rain has fallen in the Prealps. Above approximately 1200 m snow will fall on Monday over a wide area. In the Dolomites up to 25 cm of snow will fall above approximately 2000 m. In the Prealps 25 to 40 cm of snow will fall above approximately 2000 m. As the snowfall becomes more intense the avalanche prone locations will become more prevalent in the afternoon. The new snow is bonding poorly with the old snowpack in many places. This snow can be released naturally in all aspects and generally above the tree line. At high altitude the wind will be strong at times. Gradual increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and strong wind. In particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls the previously small wind slabs will increase in size substantially as the day progresses. The fresh snow as well as the wind slabs that are forming in particular above approximately 2000 m can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant,. At transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent. These places are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. On steep slopes small and medium-sized dry avalanches are possible.

Over a wide area new snow is lying on a hard crust. The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes. As a consequence of snowfall and the occasionally strong southwesterly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form. These conditions will bring about a gradual weakening of the near-surface layers in the afternoon in particular on steep slopes. Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted.

Above approximately 1500 m snow will fall on Tuesday over a wide area. As the day progresses as a consequence of new snow and strong wind there will be a gradual increase in the avalanche danger. During the course of the night possibly danger level 3 (considerable) will be reached in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation.