Valsavaranche

Gradual increase in danger of dry avalanches as a consequence of the strong wind.

Gradual increase in danger of dry avalanches as a consequence of the strong wind.

As a consequence of the strong northwesterly wind the prevalence and size of the avalanche prone locations will increase. High-altitude starting zones will be replenished further as a consequence of the wind. In the regions exposed to heavier precipitation the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and larger, in particular along the border with France and along the border with Switzerland. Fresh and older wind slabs can be released easily or naturally. Caution is to be exercised on steep slopes, and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Especially on very steep slopes and on wind-loaded slopes more medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large natural avalanches are possible. Here the avalanches can be triggered in deep layers of the snowpack and reach very large size. The conditions are precarious for backcountry touring and other off-piste activities outside marked and open pistes.

70 to 110 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Wednesday above approximately 1800 m. 5 to 10 cm of snow fell on Saturday. The weather conditions gave rise to unfavourable bonding of the snowpack. The large quantity of fresh snow and the often deep wind slabs are in some cases still prone to triggering. Adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Numerous large and, in isolated cases, very large natural dry avalanches have been released since Wednesday.

Wind and new snow. The meteorological conditions will cause a rise in the avalanche danger, in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation in particular.