Southern Adamello

Wind slabs are to be avoided.

Wind slabs are to be avoided.

As a consequence of a moderate to strong wind, easily released wind slabs will form in particular adjacent to ridgelines as well as at intermediate and high altitudes. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in steep terrain above the tree line and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The avalanches can reach medium size. In very isolated cases dry avalanches can also be triggered in the old snowpack, especially on very steep shady slopes at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, this applies in particular in case of a large load. In particular on extremely steep sunny slopes small and medium-sized loose snow avalanches are to be expected as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation.

Over a wide area 30 to 50 cm of snow, and up to 60 cm in some localities, has fallen since Monday. The fresh wind slabs are poorly bonded with the old snowpack in particular on shady slopes. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on the quite favourable surface of an old snowpack on sunny slopes at intermediate altitudes. In its middle, the snowpack is faceted and weak, especially on shady slopes. Only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year. Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.

Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence. As a consequence of mild temperatures and solar radiation the snow drift accumulations will stabilise during the next few days.