Valgrisenche

Slab avalanches are the main danger. Very steep, little used slopes are to be evaluated with care and prudence.

Slab avalanches are the main danger. Very steep, little used slopes are to be evaluated with care and prudence.

The wind slabs of last week represent the main danger. These avalanche prone locations are to be found also adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. They can be released by a single winter sport participant in particular on west to north to east facing aspects. Especially transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack where weaknesses exist in the old snowpack are unfavourable. These can in isolated cases be released in deep layers and reach medium size. Whumpfing sounds and shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Especially on wind-loaded slopes individual small and medium-sized dry slab avalanches are possible. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in steep terrain at high altitude.

The sometimes strong wind has transported the fresh and old snow significantly. In particular at intermediate and high altitudes snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. The sometimes large wind slabs of the last few days are barely recognisable. On Friday on very steep slopes individual medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large avalanches were reported. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack at intermediate and high altitudes.

The weather will be sunny. The wind will be moderate to strong adjacent to ridgelines. The avalanche danger will increase a little during the day.