Avalanche forecast

Border Graie Alps

Arpa Piemonte
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Avalanche danger

All elevations· Morning
2 · Moderate
Above 2,200 m· Afternoon
3 · Considerable
Below 2,200 m· Afternoon
2 · Moderate
Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Strong foehn wind: Gradual increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and strong wind. Snow sport activities outside marked and open pistes call for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind slab· Morning

    • Above 2,300 m
    Size
    2

    Stability: poor · Frequency: some

  • Persistent weak layers· Morning

    • Above 2,100 m
    Size
    2

    Stability: poor · Frequency: some

  • Wind slab· Afternoon

    • Above 2,200 m
    Size
    2

    Stability: very poor · Frequency: some

  • Persistent weak layers· Afternoon

    • Above 2,100 m
    Size
    2

    Stability: poor · Frequency: some

Avalanche Activity

Strong foehn wind: Gradual increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and strong wind. Snow sport activities outside marked and open pistes call for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger.

In particular along the border with France, along the border with Switzerland snowfall to low altitudes. The foehn wind will transport the new snow. In the course of the day the wind slabs will increase in size additionally. They are barely recognisable because of the poor visibility. The wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant. In the regions exposed to precipitation this applies in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase in particular in the regions exposed to the foehn. Avalanches can in isolated cases be triggered in the old snowpack and reach quite a large size. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack.

Snowpack Structure

The northwesterly wind will transport the new snow and, in some cases, old snow as well. In the course of the day wind slabs will form in all aspects. Explanation: "these" may only stand for "these wind slabs" are barely recognisable because of the poor visibility. In addition, snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Large-grained weak layers exist in the old snowpack on shady slopes.

Tendency

On wind-loaded slopes a considerable danger of dry avalanches will prevail. This applies in particular, in the regions that are exposed to the foehn wind.

Bulletin data: Arpa Piemonte (via EAWS / avalanche.report)

Regions covered