Rhemes Valley

On wind-loaded slopes an unfavourable avalanche situation will persist in some regions.

On wind-loaded slopes an unfavourable avalanche situation will persist in some regions.

As a consequence of new snow and a strong wind from westerly directions, extensive wind slabs formed by Wednesday. Even single persons can release avalanches in some places, in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example in particular at intermediate and high altitudes, and on very steep slopes above approximately 2200 m. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on wind-loaded slopes. Little snow will fall in the late morning. These avalanche prone locations are covered with new snow and are barely recognisable because of the poor visibility. In very isolated cases the avalanches can be triggered in the weakly bonded old snow and reach large size. Whumpfing sounds serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for experience and restraint.

40 to 80 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in the last five days. The sometimes strong wind has transported some snow. In all aspects snow depths vary greatly above approximately 2400 m, depending on the infuence of the wind. Adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas and at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions thus far only a little snow is lying.

As the day progresses as a consequence of solar radiation there will be a gradual increase in the danger of moist snow slides.