Valgrisenche

Fresh wind slabs require caution.

Fresh wind slabs require caution.

Over a wide area sometimes deep wind slabs formed. They are mostly easy to recognise but to be assessed with care and prudence. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in steep terrain and at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. Wind slabs can be released, even by a single winter sport participant. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Only isolated natural avalanches are possible. In very isolated cases avalanches can also be released in near-ground layers reach quite a large size in particular on steep north, east and southeast facing slopes.

The strong wind has transported a lot of snow. As a consequence of the strong northwesterly wind, snow drift accumulations formed during the last few days. These are lying on soft layers at elevated altitudes. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack at intermediate and high altitudes. In all aspects below approximately 2500 m less snow than usual is lying.

The avalanche danger will persist. The wind will be moderate to strong. Above approximately 1200 m snow will fall.