Rhemes Valley

On the border ridges towards France and Switzerland more fresh snow. As you climb higher the danger points are more widespread.

On the border ridges towards France and Switzerland more fresh snow. As you climb higher the danger points are more widespread.

A lot of new snow, caution is to be exercised along the border with France. In these regions natural avalanches are possible, but they can be large, in particular in case of releases originating from very steep starting zones. As a consequence of a moderate to strong northwesterly wind, avalanche prone wind slabs formed on Friday at intermediate and high altitudes. Single winter sport participants can release avalanches. Mostly they are shallow, caution is to be exercised in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls, and on steep slopes in particular above the tree line. On very steep shady slopes the avalanches can be triggered in deep layers of the snowpack. Slopes that have been little used this winter thus far are especially unfavourable. Careful route selection and spacing between individuals are recommended.

Friday: 10 to 30 cm of snow, and up to 40 cm in some localities, has fallen above approximately 1200 m. The fresh snow and especially the wind-blown snow drifts, both soft and hard, cover a thin layer of old snow and partly also surface hoar. In some cases the wind slabs have bonded poorly with the old snowpack. Faceted weak layers exist in the old snowpack in particular on west, north and east facing slopes.

The weather conditions will facilitate a slow strengthening of the snowpack. The danger will persist.