by InTrieste
Italy’s Protezione Civile has issued a yellow weather alert for avalanche risk in mountainous areas, warning of dangerous conditions through midday on Monday, Feb. 23.
The alert comes after several days of heavy precipitation, particularly across the Alpi Giulie, where snowfall has continued in recent hours at light to moderate intensity. Authorities said the accumulated snowpack has significantly increased instability across high-elevation terrain.
Officials classify the avalanche danger as “marked,” or Level 3 on the European scale, across most mountain zones. Above roughly 1,900 meters (about 6,200 feet), the risk rises to Level 4, considered “high,” meaning avalanches are likely and could occur naturally on many slopes.
Some avalanche activity could also affect transportation routes at elevations above 1,000 meters, particularly roads already known to be exposed to such hazards, the agency said.
Forecasters expect weather conditions to improve in the coming days, with rising temperatures at higher altitudes. However, authorities cautioned that warming could further destabilize the snowpack in the short term, prolonging dangerous conditions for backcountry travel.
