Middle Lys Valley

Wind slabs and wet snow represent the main danger.

Wind slabs and wet snow represent the main danger.

Especially in places where the night is overcast the danger will already exist in the morning. The surface of the snowpack will freeze to form a strong crust only at high altitudes and will already be soft in the early morning. As the moisture increases small and medium-sized moist and wet avalanches are possible. Between approximately 2300 and 2700 m these avalanche prone locations are more prevalent, caution is to be exercised in particular at the base of rock walls, as well as on very steep grassy slopes. Backcountry tours, off-piste skiing and ascents to alpine cabins should be started early and concluded timely. Gliding avalanches are still possible. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided. As a consequence of a moderate to strong wind from northwesterly directions, sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs formed in the last three days in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas. They can be released by small loads and reach medium size. Such avalanche prone locations are to be found on very steep slopes above approximately 2600 m and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. In particular at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions these avalanche prone locations are more widespread and the danger is slightly greater. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised in particular in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.

In some localities in some localities up to 5 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell on Thursday above approximately 2500 m. The wind was strong at times. The weather conditions gave rise to moistening of the snowpack over a wide area, this also applies on shady slopes below approximately 2500 m. In particular shady slopes high altitudes and the high Alpine regions: The upper section of the snowpack is dry; its surface consists of loosely bonded snow. A lot of snow is lying at intermediate and high altitudes. Since yesterday several small and, in isolated cases, medium-sized avalanches were observed.

Saturday: As the temperature drops a quite favourable avalanche situation will prevail. The danger of moist and wet avalanches will decrease during the day.