Cervinia and Upper Valpelline Valley

Wind slabs require caution. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for restraint.

Wind slabs require caution. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for restraint.

As a consequence of new snow and a strong wind from northerly directions, sometimes easily released wind slabs will form in the course of the day at high altitude. They will be deposited on unfavourable layers. The fresh snow of the last few days and in particular the wind slabs to be found in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain can be released by a single winter sport participant. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase as the day progresses. In very isolated cases avalanches can penetrate down to the ground and reach quite a large size. Small and medium-sized dry avalanches are to be expected as the day progresses, especially at the base of rock walls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, and on very steep slopes, in the event of solar radiation in particular on sunny slopes.

20 to 30 cm of snow, and up to 40 cm in some localities, has fallen since Tuesday above approximately 2000 m. In some regions 10 to 15 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall until Thursday above approximately 2000 m. On Thursday the wind will be strong over a wide area. The fresh wind slabs will be deposited on unfavourable layers. (--), in particular on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. Towards its surface, the snowpack is soft and has a loosely bonded surface. As a consequence of falling temperatures a crust will form on the surface during the night, in particular on sunny slopes below approximately 2300 m. In all aspects snow depths vary greatly above approximately 2400 m, depending on the infuence of the wind. Adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas and at high altitude a little snow is lying.

As a consequence of warming and solar radiation, the activity of medium dry and moist avalanches will gradually increase.