Rhemes Valley

The wind slabs represent the main danger.

The wind slabs represent the main danger.

As a consequence of new snow and a moderate to strong wind from northwesterly directions, sometimes large wind slabs formed by Friday especially above approximately 2100 m. The near-surface layers of the snowpack can be released in some places by individual winter sport participants on wind-loaded slopes. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found especially adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls and in pass areas, caution is to be exercised in particular on very steep slopes. At intermediate and high altitudes the avalanche prone locations are more widespread. Dry avalanches can be released in deep layers by large loads. These can reach quite a large size. On extremely steep slopes and in steep rocky terrain more loose snow avalanches are possible.

40 to 70 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell on Thursday above approximately 2100 m. The wind was strong in some localities. In particular at elevated altitudes snow depths vary greatly at elevated altitudes, depending on the infuence of the wind. The upper section of the snowpack is unfavourably layered and its surface has a melt-freeze crust that is not capable of bearing a load, in particular below approximately 2100 m. Over a wide area various wind slab layers are lying on a hard crust.

The danger will not decrease for the time being.