Valgrisenche

Slab avalanches are the main danger. Very steep, little used slopes are to be evaluated with care and prudence.

Slab avalanches are the main danger. Very steep, little used slopes are to be evaluated with care and prudence.

The wind has transported some snow. The wind slabs of last week represent the main danger. These avalanche prone locations are to be found also in places that are some distance from ridgelines and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. They can be released by a single winter sport participant in particular on west to north to east facing aspects. Especially transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack where weaknesses exist in the old snowpack are unfavourable. These can in isolated cases be released in deep layers and reach quite a large size. Whumpfing sounds and shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack serve as an alarm indicating the danger. Especially on wind-loaded slopes more medium-sized dry slab avalanches are possible. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in steep terrain at high altitude.

The sometimes strong wind has transported the fresh and old snow significantly. In particular at intermediate and high altitudes snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. The sometimes large wind slabs of the last few days are poorly bonded with the old snowpack. On very steep slopes individual medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large avalanches were reported. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack at intermediate and high altitudes.

The weather will be cold. The wind will be light to moderate in the vicinity of peaks. The avalanche danger will persist.