Agordo and Zoldano Dolomites

The wind slabs represent the main danger.

The wind slabs represent the main danger.

In the last few days wind slabs formed at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. These have formed in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls in all aspects. The new snow and wind slabs of the last few days can be released by a single winter sport participant above approximately 2200 m. Caution is to be exercised in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. Above approximately 2200 m the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent. In isolated cases avalanches are medium-sized and can be released even by a single winter sport participant. As a consequence of solar radiation dry loose snow avalanches are possible as the day progresses, but they will be mostly small. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.

The weather will be cold over a wide area. As a consequence of low temperatures the snowpack will become faceted and therefore lose strength. The snowpack will become in some cases prone to triggering. Snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. The snowpack remains subject to considerable local variations over a wide area. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly with the old snowpack. Weak layers exist in the snowpack especially on shady slopes.