Middle Lys Valley

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

As a consequence of new snow and a moderate to strong southeasterly wind, easily released wind slabs formed on Monday. The avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are therefore difficult to recognise. The fresh snow and the wind slabs can be released easily, even by a single winter sport participant,. This applies especially at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example, as well as on very steep shady slopes. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for meticulous route selection. Several small and, in isolated cases, medium-sized moist and wet avalanches are possible as the day progresses. This applies in particular on extremely steep slopes below approximately 2600 m, in the event of prolonged bright spells in particular.

20 to 40 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in the last three days above approximately 2000 m. The wind was moderate to strong in some localities. The high humditiy gave rise to moistening of the old snowpack in all aspects below approximately 2400 m. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on a crust on steep sunny slopes. In shady places that are protected from the wind above approximately 2500 m: Towards its surface, the snowpack is dry and has a loosely bonded surface. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack on steep shady slopes above approximately 2400 m. Released avalanches and field observations have confirmed a precarious avalanche situation on very steep shady slopes. In all aspects less snow than usual is lying. On sunny slopes below approximately 2500 m hardly any snow is lying.

Little snow will fall. The avalanche danger will persist.