Rhemes Valley

The wind slabs represent the main danger. They are covered with new snow and therefore difficult to recognise.

The wind slabs represent the main danger. They are covered with new snow and therefore difficult to recognise.

Restraint is advisable on this first sunny day after a long period of poor weather. The new snow-covered wind slabs of last week remain in some cases prone to triggering above approximately 2000 m. They can be released by a single winter sport participant. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on very 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. As a consequence of new snow and a light to moderate wind from northeasterly directions, mostly small wind slabs will form in the course of the day in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas as well as at high altitude. Fresh wind slabs can be released easily. As a consequence of solar radiation individual avalanches are possible. Especially in extremely steep terrain small and medium sized dry avalanches are possible.

10 to 15 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Monday above approximately 2000 m. The upper section of the snowpack is unfavourably layered. In some places new snow and wind slabs are lying on soft layers. In some cases the wind slabs have bonded poorly. The old snowpack is hard. Snow depths vary greatly at high altitude, depending on the infuence of the wind.

The avalanche danger will decrease gradually.