Cervinia and Upper Valpelline Valley

Fresh and older wind slabs require caution. The avalanche prone locations are quite prevalent.

Fresh and older wind slabs require caution. The avalanche prone locations are quite prevalent.

The wind slabs can be released even by a single winter sport participant on north, east and south facing slopes above approximately 2000 m. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep slopes and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Weak layers exist in the top section of the snowpack here. In areas close to the tree line a precarious avalanche situation will be encountered in some regions. Wind slabs are to be avoided. Defensive route selection is appropriate. On very steep slopes individual small and medium-sized natural avalanches are possible.

40 to 70 cm of snow has fallen since Wednesday above approximately 2000 m. The upper section of the snowpack is unfavourably layered. Over a wide area new snow and wind slabs are lying on soft layers. In some cases the wind slabs have bonded poorly with the old snowpack. Since Wednesday on wind-loaded slopes small and medium-sized avalanches were released. The old snowpack is hard. Snow depths vary greatly at high altitude, depending on the infuence of the wind. Below approximately 1800 m thus far only a little snow is lying.

Little snow will fall from the afternoon. The avalanche danger will decrease gradually.