Prags Dolomites

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 2400 m and on steep sunny slopes above approximately 2600 m. These places are rare but are barely recognisable. Caution is to be exercised at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. In addition the mostly small wind slabs of yesterday in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas and at elevated altitudes are prone to triggering in isolated cases still. As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation small and, in isolated cases, medium-sized wet and gliding avalanches are possible. There is a danger of falling on the hard snow surface.

Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted, especially on steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m, as well as on steep sunny slopes at elevated altitudes. The clearly visible wind slabs are lying on soft layers especially on shady slopes. Towards its surface, the snowpack is hard and its surface has a melt-freeze crust. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise as the day progresses to moistening of the snowpack.

On Saturday it will be mostly sunny. The wind will be moderate. As a consequence of mild temperatures and solar radiation the snow drift accumulations stabilised. The old snowpack remains prone to triggering in some places.