As a consequence of new snow and a strong wind from easterly directions, wind slabs formed on Wednesday in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. These can in some cases be released, even by a single winter sport participant, but they will be small in most cases. Caution is to be exercised in particular on shady slopes above the tree line in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation. Avalanches can in isolated cases penetrate deep layers and reach medium size, especially at elevated altitudes.
In isolated cases avalanches can be triggered in the weakly bonded old snow. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on extremely steep shady slopes above approximately 2600 m.
Snowpack
dp.6: cold, loose snow and wind dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
In some regions up to 15 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell on Wednesday. The wind will be moderate. The fresh wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack on wind-protected shady slopes. The old snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations.
Tendency
The conditions will foster a gradual stabilisation of the snow drift accumulations.
Danger level
treeline
Avalanche Problem
Wind slab
Treeline
Low avalanche danger will prevail.
Avalanches can in isolated cases be released. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on very steep shady slopes at elevated altitudes. Avalanches are small. In the Sexten Dolomites, along the border with Austria and along the border with Veneto the avalanche danger is a little higher.
Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised in particular in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.
Snowpack
Some snow fell on Wednesday. In some cases new snow and wind slabs are lying on soft layers. The fresh wind slabs are in isolated cases prone to triggering.
Only a little snow is lying.
Tendency
Low avalanche danger will prevail.
Danger level
2600m
Avalanche Problem
Persistent weak layer
2600m
Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.
The no longer entirely fresh wind slabs of Wednesday are in some cases prone to triggering in particular on steep shady slopes. Caution is to be exercised adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls at elevated altitudes.
In isolated cases avalanches can be triggered in the weakly bonded old snow. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on extremely steep shady slopes above approximately 2600 m. Mostly avalanches are small.
Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised in particular in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.
Snowpack
dp.1: deep persistent weak layer
On Wednesday rather small wind slabs formed in some cases.
Shady slopes above approximately 2600 m: Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack.
Below approximately 2600 m: The snowpack is largely stable. Hardly any snow is lying on south facing slopes.
The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. Less snow than usual is lying in all altitude zones.
