Haut Val de Bagnes

Weakly bonded old snow in the inneralpine regions

Weakly bonded old snow in the inneralpine regions

Distinct weak layers deep in the old snowpack necessitate caution, especially on very steep shady slopes, as well as on south facing slopes above approximately 2800 m. Here avalanches can be triggered in the weakly bonded old snow and reach a dangerous size. These avalanche prone locations are to be found especially in little used terrain and at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. These places are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. Whumpfing sounds can indicate the danger. Defensive route selection is required. Maintaining distances between individuals and one-at-a-time descents are recommended, especially on very steep shady slopes.

Weak layers exist near the base of the snowpack in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2200 m. In western Lower Valais and on the northern flank of the Alps, these near-ground layers are embedded deep, so that the probability of avalanches being released by people is small. From central Valais through Ticino to Grisons, the bonding of the snowpack is least favourable. Here in recent days, medium-sized avalanches have been released by people. The gliding avalanche activity will continue to decrease slowly. Individual gliding avalanches originating on steep grassy slopes that have retained the snow thus far remain possible.

After a clear night, it was sunny in the mountains during the day. Fresh snow: - Temperature: At midday at 2000 m: between +1 °C in the west and -1 °C in the east, +3 °C in the south Wind: In the central and eastern parts of the main Alpine ridge and generally in the high Alpine regions, moderate to strong at times from the north, otherwise light to moderate After a clear night, it will be sunny during the day in the mountains. Fresh snow: - Temperature: At midday at 2000 m: between 0 °C in the north and -4 °C in the south Wind: At elevated altitudes, moderate at times from the west to northwest, otherwise mostly light

Wednesday will be sunny, and on Thursday cloud will build up from the west. It will, however, remain dry. The danger of dry avalanches will change very little. Individual gliding avalanches can still occur.