Northern Lepontine Alps

As a consequence of new snow and strong wind the avalanche prone locations will become more prevalent.

As a consequence of new snow and strong wind the avalanche prone locations will become more prevalent.

The new snow and wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant. Wind slabs are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. They are covered with new snow and are difficult to recognise. In particular on very steep shady slopes the avalanches can be released in the various wind slab layers and reach large size.

10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen. The wind was strong. The soft wind slabs are poorly bonded with the old snowpack. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on a crust in particular on sunny slopes below approximately 2400 m. Snow depths vary greatly at intermediate and high altitudes, depending on the infuence of the wind.