Middle Lys Valley

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

As a consequence of the sometimes strong wind the wind slabs have increased in size moderately. These can in some places be released by a single winter sport participant, caution is to be exercised on very steep slopes at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. The wind slabs are barely recognisable. Especially on wind-loaded slopes the dry avalanches can be released in the various wind slab layers and reach medium size. In steep terrain there is a danger of falling on the hard crust, in particular on very steep sunny slopes.

In some localities 5 to 10 cm of snow, but less in some localities, fell in the past few hours above approximately 2000 m. Until Wednesday the wind will be strong. In some localities 2 to 10 cm of snow, but less in some localities, has fallen since Sunday above approximately 2000 m. The wind was strong to storm force over a wide area. Over a wide area snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. High altitudes and the high Alpine regions: As you gain altitude, snow cover decreases and becomes uneven. Snow cover is often better at intermediate altitudes, where it's less affected by the wind. Towards its surface, the snowpack is hard and its surface has a crust that is strong in many cases, especially adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas. In steep terrain there is a danger of falling on the hard crust. Towards its surface, the snowpack is soft and has a loosely bonded surface, in particular in places that are protected from the wind. The solar radiation gave rise to settling of the snowpack. Weak layers exist in the snowpack in particular on steep shady slopes.

The weather conditions will facilitate a strengthening of the snow drift accumulations. The avalanche prone locations are to be found on wind-loaded slopes at elevated altitudes.