Bresciane Prealps

New snow and wind slabs represent the main danger. Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate defensive route selection.

New snow and wind slabs represent the main danger. Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate defensive route selection.

The avalanche prone locations are covered with new snow and are difficult to recognise, in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. In starting zones where no previous releases have taken place and on wind-loaded slopes medium-sized avalanches are possible as a consequence of new snow and wind. The new snow and wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant,. Whumpfing sounds and natural avalanches serve as an alarm sign. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible.

The moderate wind will transport the new snow. This situation will give rise to unfavourable bonding of the snowpack over a wide area. Large-grained weak layers exist in the snowpack on shady slopes. The new snow and wind slabs are prone to triggering. This applies especially at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. New snow and wind slabs are lying on a weakly bonded old snowpack, in particular on shady slopes.