Rhemes Valley

Remotely triggered and natural avalanches are probable. Backcountry touring calls for extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and great restraint.

Remotely triggered and natural avalanches are probable. Backcountry touring calls for extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and great restraint.

Over a wide area 25 to 50 cm of snow will fall until the evening. Fresh snow and large quantities of wind-drifted snow of the last three days can be released easily or naturally in particular on steep shady slopes above the tree line. In particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain and on wind-loaded slopes more frequent medium-sized and large slab avalanches are possible as a consequence of the strong northwesterly wind. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase as the day progresses. In particular from starting zones at higher altitudes and in steep rocky terrain numerous medium-sized to large dry avalanches are possible as a consequence of the snowfall. They can be released in the new snow and wind slab layers and can reach as far as the valley bottom.

Over a wide area 60 to 80 cm of snow has fallen since Wednesday above approximately 2300 m. The sometimes storm force wind has transported the new snow significantly. Towards its surface, the snowpack is unfavourably layered and its surface consists of loosely bonded snow lying on a crust that is strong in many cases. The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations.

The avalanche danger will persist. Some snow will fall until the early morning.