Pontey-Clavalité

New snow and wet snow represent the main danger.

New snow and wet snow represent the main danger.

As a consequence of solar radiation numerous moist loose snow avalanches are possible, but they will be mostly small, especially on very steep slopes, and at the base of rock walls. As the moisture increases more wet avalanches are possible. As a consequence of new snow and a sometimes moderate northwesterly wind, sometimes deep wind slabs will form especially at elevated altitudes, in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Several small and medium-sized slab avalanches are possible especially on very steep slopes. The fresh snow and the wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant, above approximately 2200 m. In particular at elevated altitudes the prevalence and size of the avalanche prone locations will increase.

Over a wide area 20 to 30 cm of snow has fallen since Wednesday above approximately 2500 m. Up to 2300 m rain fell on Wednesday. The southeasterly wind has transported the new snow. The old snowpack is well consolidated. New snow and wind slabs are lying on a hard crust. The weather conditions gave rise to moistening of the snowpack also at intermediate and high altitudes. In particular here there is still a very large amount of snow. Below approximately 2000 m hardly any snow is lying.

The danger of moist loose snow avalanches will decrease during the day.