Vicentine Prealps

The new snow and wind slabs represent the main danger.

The new snow and wind slabs represent the main danger.

Less snow than expected has fallen in particular in the Prealps. In the Prealps 10 to 15 cm of snow has fallen above approximately 2000 m. The sometimes storm force wind will transport the new snow. The various wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant, above approximately 1800 m, especially at their margins. In particular on steep shady slopes small and medium-sized dry slab avalanches are possible as a consequence of new snow and wind. In particular transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack where weaknesses exist in the old snowpack are especially precarious. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep shady slopes above the tree line.

The wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on steep northwest, north and east facing slopes. Shady slopes: The old snowpack consists of faceted crystals. The fresh wind slabs are lying on soft layers. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations over a wide area.