Middle Lys Valley

The sometimes strong wind has transported the fresh and old snow significantly.

The sometimes strong wind has transported the fresh and old snow significantly.

In particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls as well as above approximately 2000 m clearly visible wind slabs formed. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases. At transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example and on steep shady slopes the avalanche danger is higher. Even single winter sport participants can release avalanches easily, including medium-sized ones. Medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large natural avalanches are possible in particular in starting zones where no previous releases have taken place. Distinct weak layers exist in the snowpack on steep north, northeast and northwest facing slopes. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and artificially triggered avalanches confirm the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack. Additionally in some places dry avalanches can also be released in near-ground layers.

The sometimes strong wind has transported the fresh and old snow significantly. Numerous weak layers exist in the snowpack especially on shady slopes. Snow depths vary greatly above approximately 1900 m, depending on the infuence of the wind. Below approximately 2500 m a little snow is lying on south facing slopes.

As a consequence of new snow and wind the prevalence of the avalanche prone locations will increase as the day progresses.