Rhemes Valley

The clearly visible wind slabs represent the main danger.

The clearly visible wind slabs represent the main danger.

As a consequence of new snow and a moderate to strong wind from northwesterly directions, wind slabs will form in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas as well as at high altitude. Along the border between Valais and France Here the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and larger. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on very steep slopes above approximately 2200 m, and adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Fresh wind slabs are mostly easy to recognise but to be assessed with care and prudence. They can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases. In particular in steep rocky terrain and on extremely steep sunny slopes only isolated mostly small dry and moist avalanches are possible as a consequence of solar radiation.

10 to 15 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Monday above approximately 2000 m. Over a wide area new snow and wind slabs are lying on a hard crust. In its middle, the snowpack is fairly homogeneous. Snow depths vary greatly at high altitude, depending on the infuence of the wind. The wind slabs have bonded generally well with the old snowpack. Especially on steep sunny slopes below approximately 2100 m only a little snow is lying.

The avalanche danger will persist. As a consequence of a moderate to strong northwesterly wind, further wind slabs will form in the course of the day.