Maira and Grana Valleys

The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs represent the main danger.

The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs represent the main danger.

As a consequence of a moderate to strong northeasterly wind, sometimes large wind slabs will form in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls as well as above approximately 2000 m. In particular transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack are unfavourable. Small and medium-sized natural avalanches are possible on steep slopes. Wind slabs can in some places be released by a single winter sport participant and reach medium size. Weak layers in the lower part of the snowpack can be released in isolated cases and mostly by large additional loads in particular in places that are protected from the wind.

Over a wide area over a wide area 15 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Sunday above approximately 1500 m. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are poorly bonded with the old snowpack. Over a wide area various wind slab layers are lying on the smooth surface of an old snowpack. Individual weak layers exist deep in the snowpack in particular in shady places that are protected from the wind.