Upper Susa and Chisone Valleys

The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence at high altitude.

The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence at high altitude.

As a consequence of a strong northwesterly wind, sometimes large wind slabs formed adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls as well as above the tree line. These can be released easily. or in isolated cases naturally, in particular on very steep northeast, east and southeast facing slopes. The avalanches can be released, even by a single winter sport participant. Additionally avalanches can be released in deep layers and reach quite a large size. As a consequence of warming during the day and the solar radiation, the likelihood of natural moist avalanches being released will increase gradually on very steep sunny slopes, in particular at the base of rock walls.

The strong wind has transported the loosely bonded old snow. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are poorly bonded with the old snowpack in particular on northeast, east and southeast facing slopes and generally in high Alpine regions. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. The weather conditions fostered a gradual strengthening of the snowpack in particular at low and intermediate altitudes. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise as the day progresses to increasing moistening of the snowpack in particular on rocky sunny slopes.

The weather conditions will foster a gradual strengthening of the snowpack also at intermediate and high altitudes.