Middle Lys Valley

Wind slabs represent the main danger. Avalanches may be triggered on sharp changes in slope with wind-hardened snow.

Wind slabs represent the main danger. Avalanches may be triggered on sharp changes in slope with wind-hardened snow.

As a consequence of a strong wind from northerly directions, mostly shallow wind slabs formed on Friday at intermediate and high altitudes. They are lying on unfavourable layers in particular on very steep northeast, east and southeast facing slopes. The wind slabs are poorly bonded with the old snowpack. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication. Caution is to be exercised at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. In particular transitions into gullies and bowls where weaknesses exist in the old snowpack are precarious. Single snow sport participants can release avalanches in some places, including medium-sized ones, caution is to be exercised in particular in the regions neighbouring those that are subject to danger level 3 (considerable). In some places avalanches can also penetrate deep layers and reach medium size. The avalanche prone locations are rather rare and are difficult to recognise. As the day progresses as a consequence of solar radiation there will be an increase in the danger of dry and moist avalanches within the current danger level. Small and, in isolated cases, medium-sized natural avalanches are possible, in particular on very steep sunny slopes, and at the base of rock walls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain.

On Saturday on very steep shady slopes several mostly small avalanches were released. On Friday on very steep slopes several mostly small avalanches were observed. The wind was strong to storm force over a wide area. The more recent wind slabs are lying on soft layers. Towards its surface, the snowpack is soft and has a loosely bonded surface. This applies on shady slopes. Towards its surface, the snowpack is moist. This applies on sunny slopes below approximately 2300 m. Weak layers exist in the old snowpack. Sunday: Outgoing longwave radiation during the night will be good. Snow depths vary greatly above approximately 2200 m, depending on the infuence of the wind. Adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas and at high altitude a little snow is lying. At low altitude less snow than usual is lying. In the south-east of the region, watch out for the numerous rocks hidden by the little recent snow.

The weather conditions will facilitate a strengthening of the snow drift accumulations.