Valsavaranche

A treacherous avalanche situation will prevail.

A treacherous avalanche situation will prevail.

As a consequence of new snow and a sometimes moderate northwesterly wind, mostly small wind slabs will form in the course of the day. The new snow and wind slabs can be released easily. The avalanche prone locations are to be found on steep slopes and adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Distinct weak layers exist deep in the snowpack. Avalanches can be released by a single winter sport participant and reach medium size. These avalanche prone locations are rather rare but are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in little used backcountry terrain. Whumpfing sounds are a clear indication.

10 to 20 cm of snow will fall during the night above approximately 2000 m. The moderate wind will transport the new snow significantly. Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution. The number of places where avalanches can be triggered has clearly decreased, but not the size of avalanches. The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. In all aspects snow depths vary greatly above approximately 2000 m, depending on the infuence of the wind.

As a consequence of new snow and strong wind the avalanche prone locations will become more prevalent. In some cases the wind slabs have bonded still only poorly with the old snowpack.