Saint-Pierre and Saint-Nicholas

Weakly bonded old snow on northwest, north and east facing slopes. Backcountry touring calls for defensive route selection.

Weakly bonded old snow on northwest, north and east facing slopes. Backcountry touring calls for defensive route selection.

As a consequence of, snowfall above approximately 1600 m and the moderate to strong southeasterly wind, a precarious avalanche situation developed. The snowpack will be prone to triggering in particular in extremely steep terrain. Medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large natural avalanches are possible. In particular from starting zones at higher altitudes natural avalanches, capable of reaching a long way in some cases, must be expected in isolated cases. Weak layers exist in the bottom section of the old snowpack on northwest, north and east facing slopes. Weak layers near the ground can be released by individual winter sport participants. Remotely triggered avalanches are possible. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and natural avalanches serve as an alarm sign. The avalanche prone locations are widespread barely recognisable because of the poor visibility. In particular transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack where weaknesses exist in the old snowpack are precarious.

Over a wide area over a wide area 20 to 40 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall until Monday above approximately 1500 m. 30 to 50 cm of snow fell in the last seven days above approximately 2000 m. The southeasterly wind will transport the new snow. Towards its base, the snowpack is unfavourably layered; its surface consists of faceted crystals. Stability tests and field observations confirm a precarious avalanche situation.

The avalanche danger will persist.