Cervinia and Upper Valpelline Valley

A precarious avalanche situation will be encountered in some regions. Fresh and older wind slabs require caution. The sometimes strong wind will transport the snow.

A precarious avalanche situation will be encountered in some regions. Fresh and older wind slabs require caution. The sometimes strong wind will transport the snow.

In particular in regions of the north exposed to the foehn wind and at high altitude the avalanche prone locations are more widespread. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase as the day progresses. The soft wind slabs can be released even by a single winter sport participant on north, east and south facing slopes above approximately 1900 m. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep slopes and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Weak layers exist in the top section of the snowpack here. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. In areas close to the tree line a precarious avalanche situation will be encountered in some regions. Wind slabs are to be avoided. Defensive route selection is appropriate. On very steep slopes small and medium-sized natural avalanches are possible as a consequence of the strong northeasterly wind.

40 to 70 cm of snow, but less in some localities, has fallen since Wednesday above approximately 2000 m. The upper section of the snowpack is unfavourably layered. Over a wide area new snow and wind slabs are lying on soft layers. In some cases the wind slabs have bonded poorly with the old snowpack. Since Wednesday on wind-loaded slopes small and medium-sized avalanches were released. On Friday on very steep slopes several medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large avalanches occurred naturally. The old snowpack is hard. Snow depths vary greatly at high altitude, depending on the infuence of the wind. Below approximately 1800 m thus far only a little snow is lying.

The avalanche danger will persist.