Middle Lys Valley

Wind slabs represent the main danger.

Wind slabs represent the main danger.

The wind slabs of the last few days are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack in particular on steep shady slopes. As a consequence of the southeasterly wind they have increased in size moderately on Wednesday. Especially adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls extremely steep terrain: The wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases. The backcountry touring conditions are generally favourable. Wind slabs require caution.

On Sunday, at an altitude of around 1,500 metres, 50 to 100 cm of snow fell widely across the eastern and south-eastern parts of the region, and 30 to 40 cm of snow fell across the rest of the area. The weather conditions facilitated a settling of the snowpack. The surface of the snowpack will freeze to form a strong crust. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise from the middle of the day to gradual softening of the snowpack on steep sunny slopes at low and intermediate altitudes. Especially adjacent to ridgelines in all aspects: The sometimes strong wind has transported the new snow. Here snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Weak layers exist in the snowpack in particular on steep shady slopes.

The weather conditions will facilitate a gradual strengthening of the near-surface layers in particular on sunny slopes. The various wind slabs have bonded with the old snowpack.