Upper Passeier Valley

Increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of the new snow.

Increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of the new snow.

From midday as the snowfall becomes more intense there will be an appreciable increase in the avalanche danger to level 3 (considerable). The fresh snow as well as the wind slabs that are forming during the snowfall will be deposited on a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2000 m. Especially here avalanches can be triggered in the faceted old snow and reach medium size. Caution is to be exercised in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, as well as in places that are protected from the wind. The avalanche prone locations are barely recognisable. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. Individual natural avalanches are not ruled out.

Up to 5 cm of snow has fallen since Saturday. 10 to 20 cm of snow, and up to 30 cm in some localities, will fall above approximately 1500 m. As a consequence of a gusty wind from southerly directions, soft wind slabs will form. These will be deposited on a weakly bonded old snowpack above approximately 2000 m. The old snowpack is faceted and weak; its surface consists of faceted crystals. This applies especially in shady places that are protected from the wind. The old snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations.

The new snow and wind slabs remain prone to triggering.