Maira and Grana Valleys

Fresh and older wind slabs require caution.

Fresh and older wind slabs require caution.

As a consequence of new snow and a moderate to strong northwesterly wind, wind slabs formed in the last few days in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. These can be released by small loads, but they will be small in most cases. The avalanche prone locations are quite prevalent but are easy to recognise. On wind-loaded slopes and on very steep sunny slopes natural avalanches are possible, but they will be mostly small. In many cases new snow and wind slabs are lying on an icy crust. Even in relatively flat terrain there is a danger of falling here.

In some regions 15 to 20 cm of snow, and up to 25 cm in some localities, fell in the last four days above approximately 1600 m. The new snow and wind slabs of last week are lying on a crust in all aspects. Individual weak layers exist in the snowpack in particular on shady slopes. In all altitude zones only a small amount of snow is lying for the time of year.