Upper Susa and Chisone Valleys

The wind slabs are to be assessed with care and prudence.

The wind slabs are to be assessed with care and prudence.

The northwesterly wind has transported the fresh and old snow significantly. The hard wind slabs are lying on a crust in particular on sunny slopes and at high altitude. These can in isolated cases be released, even by a single winter sport participant and reach medium size. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls and on wind-loaded slopes. Along the border with France the likelihood of avalanches is higher. In steep terrain there is a danger of falling on the hard snow surface. Backcountry touring calls for caution.

The foehn wind has transported the fresh and old snow significantly. Over a wide area wind slabs are lying on a hard crust, especially on sunny slopes in all altitude zones, and adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas at elevated altitudes. High altitudes shady slopes: Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted. Individual weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack especially on west, north and northeast facing slopes. On sunnier slopes where temperatures are less cold, the hard surface of the snowpack will gradually soften over the course of the day. In particular adjacent to ridgelines at high altitude snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind.