Rhemes Valley

As a consequence of new snow and wind the avalanche prone locations will become more prevalent.

As a consequence of new snow and wind the avalanche prone locations will become more prevalent.

Wind slabs. In particular along the border with France 5 to 15 cm of snow will fall from the afternoon above approximately 1800 m. As a consequence of new snow and a sometimes moderate westerly wind, further wind slabs will form in the afternoon. The new snow and wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant. The avalanche prone locations are to be found on steep slopes and on wind-loaded slopes. Persistent weak layers. Distinct weak layers exist deep in the snowpack, especially at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. Avalanches can be released by a single winter sport participant and reach large size. These avalanche prone locations are rather rare but are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in little used backcountry terrain. Whumpfing sounds are a clear indication. In particular on extremely steep sunny slopes small and medium-sized dry loose snow avalanches are possible as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation.

25 to 40 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Thursday above approximately 2000 m. The sometimes strong wind has transported the new snow significantly. Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution. The number of places where avalanches can be triggered has clearly decreased, but not the size of avalanches. 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 avalanche danger will decrease gradually. In particular on extremely steep sunny slopes more mostly small avalanches are possible as a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation.