Avalanche forecast

Valgrisenche

Regione Valle d'Aosta
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Avalanche danger

Above 2,200 m· Morning
3 · Considerable
Below 2,200 m· Morning
2 · Moderate
Above 2,200 m· Afternoon
4 · High
Below 2,200 m· Afternoon
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

As a consequence of new snow and strong wind the prevalence and size of the avalanche prone locations will increase from the late morning. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for extensive experience and restraint.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind slab· Morning

    • Above 2,200 m

  • Persistent weak layers· Morning

    • Above 2,000 m

  • Wind slab· Afternoon

    • Above 2,200 m

  • Persistent weak layers· Afternoon

    • Above 2,000 m

Avalanche Activity

As a consequence of new snow and strong wind the prevalence and size of the avalanche prone locations will increase from the late morning. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for extensive experience and restraint.

As a consequence of new snow and a moderate to strong wind from westerly directions, large surface-area wind slabs will form. The sometimes avalanche-prone wind slabs will be deposited on unfavourable layers in particular on steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. Wind slabs can be released, even by a single winter sport participant and reach medium size. Additionally avalanches can also penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack and reach quite a large size in all aspects. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in steep terrain and at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. These avalanche prone locations are numerous and are difficult to recognise. They are to be assessed with care and prudence. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and natural avalanches serve as an alarm sign. As a consequence of new snow and strong wind natural avalanches are possible from midday, but they can be large in isolated cases.

Snowpack Structure

Up to 30 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall until Tuesday above approximately 1500 m. In some localities up to 15 cm of snow, but less in some localities, fell today above approximately 2000 m. Little rain has fallen since the early morning in some localities. As a consequence of the moderate to strong northwesterly wind, snow drift accumulations formed. These are poorly bonded with the old snowpack in all aspects. The strong wind has transported the fresh and old snow significantly. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack at intermediate and high altitudes. In all aspects below approximately 2500 m less snow than usual is lying.

Tendency

The avalanche danger will not decrease for the time being. The wind will be moderate to strong. Above approximately 1200 m snow will fall.

Bulletin data: Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta (via EAWS / avalanche.report)

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