Middle Lys Valley

Wind slabs represent the main danger.

Wind slabs represent the main danger.

As a consequence of a strong wind from northerly directions, further wind slabs formed on Sunday at intermediate and high altitudes. They are lying on unfavourable layers in particular on very steep northeast, east and southeast facing slopes. Single snow sport participants can release avalanches in some places, including medium-sized ones. Caution is to be exercised at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. In some places avalanches can also penetrate deep layers and reach medium size. These avalanche prone locations are rather rare and are difficult to recognise. As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation moist loose snow avalanches are possible, in particular on very steep sunny slopes, and at the base of rock walls.

The wind was strong over a wide area. Towards its surface, the snowpack is moist. This applies on sunny slopes below approximately 2300 m. Weak layers exist in the old snowpack. Snow depths vary greatly above approximately 2200 m, depending on the infuence of the wind. Adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas and at high altitude a little snow is lying. At low altitude less snow than usual is lying. In the south-east of the region, watch out for the numerous rocks hidden by the little recent snow.

The weather conditions will facilitate a gradual strengthening of the snow drift accumulations.