Maira and Grana Valleys

Wind slabs represent the main danger.

Wind slabs represent the main danger.

The small quantity of fresh snow and the wind slabs formed by the sometimes strong wind represent the main danger. They are to be found especially in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. In some cases the wind slabs have bonded poorly. The fresh wind slabs can at their margins be released by a single winter sport participant. In particular on wind-loaded slopes the avalanches can be triggered in deep layers of the snowpack and reach large size in some cases. As a consequence of warming, the likelihood of moist and wet avalanches being released will increase gradually in particular below approximately 2300 m.

Some fresh snow and the sometimes deep wind slabs are poorly bonded with the old snowpack. Faceted weak layers exist in the snowpack in particular on shady slopes. As a consequence of warming, the natural avalanche activity will gradually increase.

As a consequence of mild temperatures, sleet and the strong to storm force wind, the snowpack can not consolidate.