Vicentine Prealps

Wind slabs and wet snow represent the main danger.

Wind slabs and wet snow represent the main danger.

In some regions up to 15 cm of snow, but less in some localities, has fallen since yesterday above approximately 2000 m. The weather conditions facilitated a gradual weakening of the snowpack in all aspects. As a consequence of a moderate to strong wind from northwesterly directions, sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs will form by Wednesday especially adjacent to ridgelines. The strong wind will transport the new snow significantly. In the course of the day the previously small wind slabs will increase in size once again. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on wind-loaded slopes of all aspects above approximately 2200 m and at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. The sometimes avalanche-prone wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant, in all aspects.

As a consequence of the occasionally strong northwesterly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form on Wednesday. In some cases the various wind slabs have bonded poorly with each other and the old snowpack. In some places wind slabs are lying on a hard crust. The wind slabs of the last two days are to be evaluated with care and prudence above the tree line. On shady slopes a sometimes treacherous avalanche situation will prevail. In addition the danger of moist avalanches will increase as the day progresses. Moist avalanches can occur easily or triggered naturally.