Middle Lys Valley

Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and restraint. Increase in danger of dry and moist avalanches as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation.

Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and restraint. Increase in danger of dry and moist avalanches as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation.

As a consequence of new snow and a sometimes moderate southeasterly wind, soft wind slabs formed on Sunday. The new snow and wind slabs of last week are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack on very steep shady slopes. In particular above approximately 2400 m these avalanche prone locations are more prevalent. They can be released by a single winter sport participant. This applies especially at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. As a consequence of the solar radiation, the likelihood of avalanches being released will increase on steep slopes. The wind slabs are covered with new snow and therefore barely recognisable. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and released avalanches confirm an unfavourable avalanche situation on steep slopes. In particular at the base of rock walls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large dry and moist avalanches are possible. As a consequence of solar radiation, the avalanche activity will gradually increase.

40 to 60 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in the last seven days above approximately 2300 m. 15 to 30 cm of snow fell on Sunday above approximately 2500 m. The high humditiy gave rise to moistening of the snowpack in all aspects below approximately 2500 m. Monday: A clear night will be followed in the early morning by sometimes favourable conditions generally, but the avalanche danger will increase later. The surface of the snowpack will freeze, but a strong crust will not form will soften during the day. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on a crust on steep sunny slopes. In shady places that are protected from the wind above approximately 2300 m: The new snow is lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack. In particular at intermediate altitudes less snow than usual is lying. On sunny slopes below approximately 2400 m hardly any snow is lying.

From the afternoon the weather will be cold. Evening: In some localities light snowfall. The avalanche danger will persist.