Valsavaranche

A critical avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area. In particular along the border with France and along the border with Switzerland the avalanche prone locations are more widespread.

A critical avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area. In particular along the border with France and along the border with Switzerland the avalanche prone locations are more widespread.

Very dangerous avalanche situation with three overlapping avalanche problems: fresh snow, wind-blown snow and persistent weak layers. Large quantities of fresh snow and the wind-drifted snow are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. Avalanches can as before be released very easily. Especially on very steep slopes many medium-sized and large natural avalanches are to be expected as a consequence of solar radiation. The avalanches can be triggered in deep layers of the snowpack and reach very large size. In the typical avalanche paths the avalanches can reach as far as the valley bottom and endanger transportation routes that are exposed. The emptied starting zones have been replenished as a consequence of snowfall and wind. The conditions are very critical for backcountry touring and other off-piste activities outside marked and open pistes.

60 to 80 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Wednesday above approximately 1800 m. Thursday: 15 to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall from the afternoon above approximately 2000 m. The weather conditions will give rise to unfavourable bonding of the snowpack. The large quantity of fresh snow and the wind slabs that are forming during the snowfall are bonding poorly with the old snowpack at intermediate and high altitudes.

The large quantity of fresh snow as well as the wind slabs represent the main danger. The natural avalanche activity will gradually decrease.