Valgrisenche

Fresh and older wind slabs require caution.

Fresh and older wind slabs require caution.

Along the border with Switzerland and along the border with France: The wind will be strong. In particular here the wind slabs will increase in size additionally. The large surface-area wind slabs of the last few days must be evaluated with care and prudence. Over a wide area new snow and wind slabs are lying on a hard crust. The wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in isolated cases above approximately 2600 m. The avalanche prone locations for dry avalanches are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. Especially on extremely steep slopes natural avalanches must be expected. As a consequence of warming during the day individual small and medium-sized dry and moist avalanches are to be expected above approximately 2400 m.

The Avalanche Warning Service currently has only a small amount of information that has been collected in the field. Along the border with Switzerland and along the border with France: In some localities 10 to 20 cm of snow, but less in some localities, has fallen since Thursday above approximately 2400 m. Since Monday in all aspects numerous medium-sized and large avalanches occurred naturally, including ones originating in starting zones where avalanches had already been released. The rain gave rise on Tuesday to rapid and thorough wetting of the snowpack over a wide area in particular on very steep slopes below approximately 3000 m. As a consequence of falling temperatures, the natural avalanche activity has gradually decreased. The old snowpack will be generally well bonded. The surface of the snowpack has frozen to form a strong crust. Towards its surface, the snowpack is weak in some cases and its surface consists of loosely bonded snow lying on a strong crust. This applies in particular below approximately 2800 m.

The avalanche danger will persist.