Upper Passeier Valley

Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.

Weakly bonded old snow requires caution.

Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released in some places by individual winter sport participants. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in all aspects above approximately 2200 m. Caution is to be exercised at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. In little used terrain the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent. Mostly avalanches are medium-sized. As a consequence of a gusty northerly wind, mostly small wind slabs will form on Sunday especially adjacent to ridgelines as well as at elevated altitudes. They are to be evaluated with care and prudence in steep terrain. On steep sunny slopes individual wet snow slides and avalanches are possible as the day progresses. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for meticulous route selection.

Above the tree line snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Faceted weak layers exist in the snowpack, especially on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m, as well as on sunny slopes above approximately 2500 m. As a consequence of a moderate to strong northerly wind, mostly small wind slabs will form on Sunday in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas. These are in some cases prone to triggering. The high temperatures as the day progresses will give rise to softening of the snowpack in some places in particular on steep sunny slopes, especially at low and intermediate altitudes.

Weakly bonded old snow requires caution. On steep sunny slopes more frequent wet snow slides and avalanches are to be expected as the day progresses.