Pontey-Clavalité

The wind slabs of the last few days must be evaluated with care and prudence.

The wind slabs of the last few days must be evaluated with care and prudence.

As a consequence of a strong wind from northerly directions, wind slabs formed in the last three days in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. As a consequence of new snow and a strong wind from southeasterly directions, further wind slabs will form. The various wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence in particular in very steep terrain. They can in some places be released by a single winter sport participant. In particular along the border with Switzerland these avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and the danger is slightly greater. Weak layers in the old snowpack can still be released in isolated cases by individual winter sport participants. This applies in particular on very steep northwest, north and northeast facing slopes above approximately 2500 m in places that are protected from the wind.

5 to 15 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall until the evening above approximately 2000 m. The fresh snow and very particularly the wind slabs are bonding poorly with the old snowpack. As a consequence of the occasionally strong foehn wind, snow drift accumulations formed during the last few days. As a consequence of highly fluctuating temperatures a crust formed on the surface, this also applies on shady slopes below approximately 2500 m. The spring-like weather conditions gave rise to increasing moistening of the snowpack on sunny slopes below approximately 2900 m, also on shady slopes below approximately 2400 m. As a consequence of falling temperatures a crust formed on the surface during the last five days. Towards its base, the snowpack is wet. This applies in all aspects below approximately 2400 m, and on sunny slopes below approximately 2900 m.

Increase in danger of moist and wet avalanches as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation.