Pontey-Clavalité

From midday as the precipitation becomes more intense there will be a gradual increase in the avalanche danger. The backcountry touring conditions are to some extent precarious.

From midday as the precipitation becomes more intense there will be a gradual increase in the avalanche danger. The backcountry touring conditions are to some extent precarious.

Saturday: As the snowfall becomes more intense the prevalence and size of the avalanche prone locations will increase from midday. The moderate wind will transport the new snow. The new snow of Saturday is bonding poorly with the old snowpack. Especially on steep shady slopes more frequent medium-sized to large avalanches are to be expected in particular from starting zones at higher altitudes. In the typical avalanche paths the dry avalanches can in some cases reach intermediate altitudes. Ski touring and other off-piste activities, including snowshoe hiking, call for caution and restraint.

30 to 60 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall on Saturday above approximately 1600 m. Towards its surface, the snowpack is unfavourably layered. The new snow of Saturday is bonding poorly with the old snowpack in some places. In some regions 5 to 10 cm of snow fell on Thursday above approximately 2200 m. Towards its surface, the snowpack is largely stable and its surface has a melt-freeze crust that is strong in many cases. Especially steep shady slopes high altitudes and the high Alpine regions: Snow that is very compacted on the surface and stabilised by the stormy winds at the end of February, or composed of faceted crystals and, locally, snow with weak cohesion and surface frost. Weak layers exist in the old snowpack here. Adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas as well as at high altitude snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind.

New snow: The fresh snow as well as the wind slabs that are forming over a wide area represent the main danger.