Valgrisenche

The avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise. Ski touring and other off-piste activities, including snowshoe hiking, call for defensive route selection.

The avalanche prone locations are difficult to recognise. Ski touring and other off-piste activities, including snowshoe hiking, call for defensive route selection.

As a consequence of wind from northwesterly directions, sometimes large wind slabs will form by Wednesday. Fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in particular on very steep shady slopes. This applies in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, as well as adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large natural avalanches are not ruled out. In particular on shady slopes the avalanches can penetrate even deep layers. In the typical avalanche paths the avalanches can in isolated cases still reach a long way. As a consequence of solar radiation more moist and wet avalanches are possible in the afternoon. This applies in particular on very steep sunny slopes below approximately 2600 m.

50 to 80 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Tuesday above approximately 2000 m. Here rain fell up to 2100 m. The sometimes strong wind has transported the new snow significantly. In some places new snow and wind slabs are lying on soft layers. The upper section of the snowpack is unfavourably layered. The sleet gave rise to a loss of strength within the snowpack over a wide area at intermediate altitudes. Several medium-sized and large dry and wet avalanches have been released.

As a consequence of warming during the day and the solar radiation, the likelihood of moist and wet avalanches being released will increase gradually in all altitude zones.