Valgrisenche

In steep terrain there is a danger of falling on the hard snow surface. Restraint should be exercised because avalanches can sweep people along and give rise to falls.

In steep terrain there is a danger of falling on the hard snow surface. Restraint should be exercised because avalanches can sweep people along and give rise to falls.

Wind slabs are clearly recognisable. Along the border with Switzerland and along the border with France: The more recent wind slabs can still be released in some cases. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. The prevalence of the avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. In the other aspects and at lower altitudes the avalanche danger is low (level 1).

The Avalanche Warning Service currently has only a small amount of information that has been collected in the field. Since Wednesday the weather has been very mild. Outgoing longwave radiation during the night was quite good. As a consequence of highly fluctuating temperatures and the strong northwesterly wind, a crust will form on the surface. Above approximately 2700 m snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. In many cases wind slabs are lying on a hard crust. Below approximately 2000 m only a little snow is lying. The old snowpack will be generally well bonded.

Until Saturday the wind will be strong. In particular along the border with Switzerland some new snow: Some fresh snow and the small wind slabs will be deposited on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack in all aspects.