Border Graie Alps

Gradual increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and stormy weather.

Gradual increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and stormy weather.

In particular along the border with France, along the border between Valais and Italy 25 to 40 cm of snow, and up to 60 cm in some localities, will fall until the evening above approximately 1700 m. As a consequence of snowfall and the occasionally strong northwesterly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form in the course of the day. The strong wind will transport the new snow and, in some cases, old snow as well. The sometimes large wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant, above the tree line. On steep slopes and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain the avalanche situation is very precarious. On wind-loaded slopes and adjacent to ridgelines medium-sized to large slab avalanches are possible, in isolated cases also in case of releases originating from steep and high-altitude southeast facing starting zones that have retained the snow thus far.

The sometimes storm force wind will transport the fresh and old snow significantly. In particular in the vicinity of peaks snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Weak layers exist in the old snowpack in particular on steep northwest, north and east facing slopes. In some places various wind slab layers are lying on surface hoar.