Maira and Grana Valleys

Wind slabs require caution.

Wind slabs require caution.

The northwesterly wind has transported the loosely bonded old snow. Wind slabs have formed especially above the tree line. The avalanches can be released, even by a single winter sport participant or triggered naturally. This applies in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example, and on wind-loaded slopes. In particular on steep shady slopes avalanches can penetrate even deep layers and reach quite a large size. Off-piste activities call for caution.

The northwesterly wind has transported the loosely bonded old snow. As a consequence of sharply falling temperatures and the moderate to strong foehn wind, snow drift accumulations formed. High altitudes and the high Alpine regions: Wind slabs are lying on the smooth surface of an old snowpack. Precarious weak layers exist in the old snowpack in particular on shady slopes. In particular in the vicinity of peaks snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind.