Monregalese Valleys

New snow and wind slabs are to be critically assessed.

New snow and wind slabs are to be critically assessed.

The large quantity of fresh snow of the last few days and the wind slabs formed by the sometimes strong northeasterly wind represent the main danger. Numerous dry avalanches are possible, even very large ones in isolated cases. These can in isolated cases penetrate deep layers. New snow and wind slabs can be released by small loads or triggered naturally. This applies especially on very steep slopes adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. The current avalanche situation calls for careful route selection. As a consequence of warming during the day and the solar radiation, the likelihood of moist avalanches being released will increase a little in particular on rocky slopes at low and intermediate altitudes.

Over a wide area 100 to 130 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in the last six days in all altitude zones. The large quantity of fresh snow of the last few days as well as the wind slabs formed during the snowfall are poorly bonded with the old snowpack in all aspects. Rutschblock tests and natural avalanches confirm this situation.

The weather conditions will give rise to gradual consolidation of the snowpack. As a consequence of mild temperatures and low relative humidity the snow drift accumulations will stabilise at the weekend.