Ferret Valley

The strong wind has transported the fresh and old snow significantly.

The strong wind has transported the fresh and old snow significantly.

Over a wide area large wind slabs formed. They are deep and in some cases prone to triggering. The conditions are treacherous for snow sport activities outside marked and open pistes. New snow and wind slabs can be released, even by a single winter sport participant. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Some medium-sized natural avalanches are possible on wind-loaded slopes. As a consequence of the northwesterly wind loose snow avalanches are possible. In very isolated cases avalanches can also be released in near-ground layers reach quite a large size in particular on steep north, east and southeast facing slopes.

10 to 15 cm of snow, but less in some localities, will fall on Wednesday above approximately 1700 m. 50 to 70 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Sunday above approximately 2000 m. The strong wind has transported the fresh and old snow significantly. As a consequence of the moderate to strong northwesterly wind, the snow drift accumulations have increased in size during the last two days. The wind slabs are lying on soft layers at elevated altitudes. Since Monday in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation several medium-sized avalanches occurred. 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.

The avalanche danger will persist. The wind will be moderate to strong. Above approximately 1400 m snow will fall.