Ampezzo Dolomites

New snow and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.

New snow and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.

Above approximately 800 m snow will fall on Thursday over a wide area. Over a wide area up to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall above approximately 1500 m. Medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large natural avalanches are possible. The fresh snow and the wind slabs are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack on west, north and east facing slopes above the tree line. Especially here avalanches can be triggered in the faceted old snow. This applies even in case of a small load. The avalanche prone locations are widespread and are barely recognisable. In particular on steep slopes numerous medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large dry avalanches are to be expected as a consequence of the new snow. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and natural avalanches serve as an alarm sign. Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate defensive route selection. In particular in regions exposed to heavier precipitation the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and the danger is greater.

The snowpack will be in most cases prone to triggering. Over a wide area new snow is lying on old snow containing large grains. This applies especially in shady places that are protected from the wind. The old snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations.