Rhemes Valley

Wind slabs represent the main danger. Backcountry touring calls for restraint.

Wind slabs represent the main danger. Backcountry touring calls for restraint.

As a consequence of the sometimes strong wind the wind slabs will increase in size. The prevalence of these avalanche prone locations will increase in the high Alpine regions. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are to be found in all aspects. The brittle wind slabs are to be bypassed in particular in very steep terrain. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, caution is to be exercised on very steep slopes at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, in particular along the border between Valais and Italy, along the border with France. As a consequence of solar radiation more small and medium-sized natural dry avalanches are possible. In some places avalanches can penetrate even deep layers.

30 to 50 cm of snow, and up to 60 cm in some localities, has fallen since Tuesday above approximately 2200 m, in particular along the border with France. Up to 2200 m rain has fallen. The moderate wind has transported the new snow. These weather conditions on Friday gave rise to unfavourable bonding of the snowpack in some places in particular along the border with France below approximately 2500 m. Naturally triggered avalanches and artificially triggered avalanches have confirmed this situation. The weather conditions caused a strengthening of the near-surface layers on Saturday. The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. In all aspects snow depths vary greatly above approximately 2000 m, depending on the infuence of the wind.

The weather will be mild. The avalanche danger will decrease gradually.