Valgrisenche

The fresh snow as well as the wind slabs represent the main danger. In the course of the day danger level 4 (high) will be reached.

The fresh snow as well as the wind slabs represent the main danger. In the course of the day danger level 4 (high) will be reached.

Persistent snowfall to intermediate altitudes: 30 to 60 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall until Monday above approximately 2000 m. This applies in particular along the border with France. As a consequence of new snow and a moderate to strong wind from westerly directions, easily released wind slabs will form in particular in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. As the snowfall becomes more intense the prevalence and size of these avalanche prone locations will increase in the afternoon. They must be evaluated with care and prudence in particular on north to east to south facing aspects above approximately 2400 m. The fresh snow and the wind slabs can be released easily or naturally. Backcountry touring calls for extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and careful route selection. As the precipitation becomes more intense more frequent dry avalanches are to be expected as the day progresses, even large ones in isolated cases, in particular in case of releases originating from very steep starting zones at elevated altitudes. The avalanches can be released in the weakly bonded old snow and reach large size. In the typical avalanche paths they can in some cases reach the valleys.

15 to 30 cm of snow has fallen since Thursday above approximately 2600 m. In the last few days the weather was mild. The rain gave rise to thorough wetting of the old snowpack over a wide area below approximately 2500 m. The old snowpack is unfavourably layered. The snowpack remains weakly bonded on shady slopes.

Above approximately 1500 m snow will fall until Monday. The danger will persist.