Rhemes Valley

The more recent wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence. As a consequence of warming and solar radiation a treacherous avalanche situation will persist in some cases.

The more recent wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence. As a consequence of warming and solar radiation a treacherous avalanche situation will persist in some cases.

In some localities 10 to 20 cm of snow will fall in the next few hours above approximately 2300 m. As a consequence of a strong northwesterly wind, sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs will form above the tree line. In particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain the prevalence and size of these avalanche prone locations will increase, in the regions exposed to a lot of wind, also at a distance from ridgelines. The fresh snow and all the wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant. In particular transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack where weaknesses exist in the old snowpack are especially unfavourable. The danger of moist and wet avalanches will increase during the day. On wind-loaded slopes and from starting zones at higher altitudes small and medium sized avalanches are possible as the day progresses. Backcountry touring calls for meticulous route selection.

40 to 70 cm of snow has fallen since Friday above approximately 2500 m, in particular along the border with France. The strong wind has transported the new snow significantly. Over a wide area new snow and wind slabs are lying on a hard crust, especially below approximately 2600 m. The upper section of the snowpack is moist. This applies in particular on steep sunny slopes below approximately 2600 m. The old snowpack is unfavourably layered. At high altitude snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind.

The danger will persist.