Rhemes Valley

Fresh and older wind slabs require caution.

Fresh and older wind slabs require caution.

The soft wind slabs of the last few days can be released even by a single winter sport participant on north, east and south facing slopes above approximately 2000 m. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on very steep slopes and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. Weak layers exist in the top section of the snowpack here. In areas close to the tree line a sometimes precarious avalanche situation will be encountered in some regions. In these regions the avalanche prone locations are more widespread. Meticulous route selection is appropriate. In particular on very steep slopes individual mostly small natural avalanches are possible.

40 to 60 cm of snow, but less in some localities, has fallen since Wednesday above approximately 2000 m. The upper section of the snowpack is unfavourably layered. Over a wide area new snow and wind slabs are lying on soft layers. In some cases the wind slabs have bonded poorly with the old snowpack. On Friday on very steep slopes several small and medium-sized avalanches occurred naturally. The old snowpack is hard. Snow depths vary greatly at high altitude, depending on the infuence of the wind. Below approximately 1800 m thus far only a little snow is lying.

Little snow will fall from the afternoon. The avalanche danger will decrease gradually.