Vicentine Prealps

In some localities up to 50 cm of snow fell on Sunday. Backcountry touring calls for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger.

In some localities up to 50 cm of snow fell on Sunday. Backcountry touring calls for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger.

Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise as the day progresses to unfavourable bonding of the snowpack on very steep sunny slopes. On very steep sunny slopes the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent. The natural activity of avalanches will gradually increase. As the day progresses, wet and gliding avalanches are possible. The fresh wind slabs are easy to recognise and can in some cases be released easily especially at their margins. Distinct weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution. On steep shady slopes the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent. The avalanches can be released in deep layers of the snowpack and reach quite a large size. The near-surface layers of the snowpack can be released even by individual winter sport participants in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. This applies in particular on wind-loaded slopes above the tree line.

In some localities up to 50 cm of snow fell on Sunday above approximately 2000 m. The fresh snow and the sometimes deep wind slabs are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack. The sleet gave rise to moistening of the snowpack below approximately 1800 m. Distinct weak layers in the old snowpack are treacherous. Especially above approximately 2000 m northwest, north and northeast facing slopes: