Valsavaranche

The avalanche danger is within the upper range of danger level 3 (considerable). The conditions are precarious for backcountry touring and other off-piste activities outside marked and open pistes.

The avalanche danger is within the upper range of danger level 3 (considerable). The conditions are precarious for backcountry touring and other off-piste activities outside marked and open pistes.

Large quantities of fresh snow and the wind-drifted snow remain in some cases prone to triggering. In the regions exposed to heavier precipitation the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and larger, in particular along the border with France and along the border with Switzerland. Avalanches can be released by a single winter sport participant. Caution is to be exercised on steep slopes, and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Especially on very steep slopes and on wind-loaded slopes more medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large natural avalanches are possible. Here the avalanches can be triggered in deep layers of the snowpack and reach very large size.

70 to 110 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Wednesday above approximately 1800 m. 5 to 10 cm of snow will fall until Saturday above approximately 1400 m. The large surface-area wind slabs will be covered with new snow in some cases and therefore difficult to recognise. The weather conditions gave rise to unfavourable bonding of the snowpack. The large quantity of fresh snow and the often deep wind slabs are in some cases still prone to triggering. Adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Numerous large and, in isolated cases, very large natural dry avalanches have been released since Wednesday.

Wind and new snow. The meteorological conditions will facilitate a slow strengthening of the snowpack. The avalanche danger will persist.