Valsavaranche

In steep terrain there is a danger of falling on the hard snow surface.

In steep terrain there is a danger of falling on the hard snow surface.

The mostly small wind slabs of the last few days represent the main danger. Winter sport participants can release avalanches in isolated cases. These avalanche prone locations are to be found in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. They are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. Also transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack where weaknesses exist in the old snowpack are unfavourable. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack indicate this situation.

In some localities 2 cm of snow fell during the night. Less snow than usual is lying. The mostly small wind slabs of the last few days have bonded quite well with the old snowpack in all aspects. The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. Steep, little used shady slopes: As a consequence of low temperatures the snowpack became faceted during the last few days and has therefore lost strength, in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example.

Further warming. These conditions will foster a slight rise in the danger of moist avalanches as the day progresses in particular on very steep sunny slopes.