Vicentine Prealps

The wind slabs represent the main danger. Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution and restraint.

The wind slabs represent the main danger. Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution and restraint.

As a consequence of a strong wind from easterly directions, clearly visible wind slabs formed in the last two days. These are to be found adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls and generally at elevated altitudes. The various wind slabs have bonded insufficiently with each other and the old snowpack. Avalanches can in some places be released, even by a single winter sport participant. Mostly they are medium-sized. Distinct weak layers exist deep in the snowpack on shady slopes. Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released in some places by individual winter sport participants especially here. Whumpfing sounds serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Avalanches can in very isolated cases be triggered in the old snowpack and reach quite a large size. On Thursday it will be sunny over a wide area. As a consequence of the solar radiation, the likelihood of natural avalanches being released will increase a little in particular on very steep sunny slopes. Is these aspects small and, in isolated cases, medium-sized moist loose snow avalanches are possible as the moisture increases.

The weather conditions facilitated a gradual settling of the snowpack. Especially adjacent to ridgelines in all aspects: The sometimes strong wind has transported the new snow. Here snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Distinct weak layers exist deep in the snowpack on shady slopes. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise from the middle of the day to gradual softening of the snowpack on steep sunny slopes at low and intermediate altitudes.