Champdepraz Monte Avic

Increase in danger as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation.

Increase in danger as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation.

Gradual increase in danger of moist and wet avalanches. As the day progresses, a few natural avalanches are possible. This applies especially on steep southeast, south and west facing slopes below approximately 2800 m, as well as on shady slopes below approximately 2500 m. As a consequence of new snow and a strong wind from southeasterly directions, soft wind slabs formed on Wednesday adjacent to ridgelines on north, northeast and northwest facing slopes. The wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence in particular in very steep terrain. They can in some places be released by a single winter sport participant. These are covered with new snow and therefore difficult to recognise. In particular along the border with Switzerland these avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and the danger is slightly greater. Weak layers in the old snowpack can still be released in isolated cases by individual winter sport participants. This applies in particular on very steep northwest, north and northeast facing slopes above approximately 2500 m.

10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell on Wednesday above approximately 2000 m. The fresh snow and very particularly the wind slabs are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack. As a consequence of the occasionally strong wind, snow drift accumulations formed during the last few days. The surface of the snowpack will freeze to form a strong crust only at high altitudes and will soften during the day. As a consequence of highly fluctuating temperatures a crust formed on the surface, this also applies on shady slopes below approximately 2400 m. The spring-like weather conditions gave rise to increasing moistening of the snowpack on sunny slopes below approximately 2900 m, also on shady slopes below approximately 2400 m. Towards its base, the snowpack is wet. This applies in all aspects below approximately 2400 m, and on sunny slopes below approximately 2900 m.

The avalanche danger will persist.