Valgrisenche

Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.

Fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence.

The strong wind has transported a lot of snow. Above the tree line avalanche prone wind slabs formed. The fresh and older wind slabs of the last two days can be released even by a single winter sport participant in particular on north to east to southeast facing aspects above approximately 2400 m. In some places avalanches can also be released in near-ground layers, caution is to be exercised on very steep slopes, especially at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. From the late morning as a consequence of warming there will be an additional increase in the danger. The wind slabs will become increasingly prone to triggering. Natural avalanches are possible on wind-loaded slopes. Dry avalanches can penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack and reach large size in isolated cases above approximately 2600 m. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for careful route selection.

10 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Thursday above approximately 2200 m. Individual weak layers exist in the snowpack at intermediate and high altitudes. Towards its surface, the snowpack is hard and its surface has a melt-freeze crust, especially below approximately 2300 m. Above the tree line snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Below approximately 2000 m only a little snow is lying.

Gradual decrease in avalanche danger as the temperature drops.