Maira and Grana Valleys

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger. Along the border with France the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent.

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger. Along the border with France the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent.

As a consequence of a strong wind from northwesterly directions, clearly visible wind slabs will form in particular along the border with France. The avalanche prone locations for dry avalanches are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain above approximately 2500 m. More recent wind slabs are to be assessed with care and prudence. They can be released by a single winter sport participant in isolated cases in particular on very steep north, east and southeast facing slopes above approximately 2400 m, especially at their margins. As a consequence of warming during the day individual small and, in isolated cases, medium-sized avalanches are possible below approximately 3000 m. This applies in particular in case of releases originating from very steep, sunny starting zones that have retained the snow thus far.

The strong wind has transported some snow. Weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack on steep shady slopes. In some cases the wind slabs have bonded still only poorly with each other and the old snowpack. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise as the day progresses to increasing moistening of the snowpack in particular on steep east, south and west facing slopes below approximately 3000 m.