Western Retiche Alps

Significant increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and wind.

Significant increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and wind.

Over a wide area 40 to 60 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in the past few hours above approximately 1400 m. As a consequence of new snow and a strong wind from southerly directions, wind slabs formed in particular at intermediate and high altitudes. The fresh wind slabs can be released easily or naturally. In particular on southwest, north and northeast facing slopes and above approximately 2300 m large and, in isolated cases, very large avalanches are to be expected. Snow sport activities outside marked and open pistes call for extensive experience and restraint.

The large quantity of fresh snow and the wind slabs formed by the strong southerly wind are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack. Towards its surface, the snowpack is hard and its surface has a melt-freeze crust that is strong in many cases. Individual weak layers exist in the old snowpack especially on shady slopes. Avalanches can in some places be released in deep layers in particular on northwest, north and northeast facing slopes.