Valgrisenche

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

As a consequence of new snow and a moderate to strong southeasterly wind, sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs formed by Monday. Reports filed by observers confirm a sometimes treacherous avalanche situation on very steep shady slopes. Whumpfing sounds and shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack indicate the existence of a weak snowack. The avalanche prone locations are to be found between approximately 2300 and 2800 m. The fresh snow and the wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for meticulous route selection. Several small avalanches are possible as the day progresses. In the event of prolonged bright spells this applies in particular on rocky sunny slopes.

10 to 15 cm of snow has fallen since Sunday above approximately 2000 m. The wind was moderate to strong in some localities. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on a crust on steep sunny slopes. In shady places that are protected from the wind: Towards its surface, the snowpack is dry and has a loosely bonded surface. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack on steep shady slopes above approximately 2300 m. In all aspects less snow than usual is lying. Adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas and at high altitude a little snow is lying. At low altitude less snow than usual is lying. On sunny slopes below approximately 2600 m hardly any snow is lying.

The weather conditions will give rise to increasing consolidation of the snowpack.