Vicentine Prealps

Weakly bonded old snow is to be evaluated with care and prudence.

Weakly bonded old snow is to be evaluated with care and prudence.

In some places avalanches can be triggered in the weakly bonded old snow and reach medium size in isolated cases. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep west to north to east facing slopes above approximately 1900 m and on steep sunny slopes above approximately 1800 m. Caution is to be exercised at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. The prevalence of the avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. Wind slabs are mostly small and can only be released in isolated cases, especially on very steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes. There is a danger of falling on the hard snow surface.

Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted, especially on steep west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 1600 m, as well as on steep sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. The various wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on shady slopes. Towards its surface, the snowpack is hard and its surface has a melt-freeze crust. This applies in particular on steep sunny slopes.