Valsavaranche

The strong wind will transport the new snow. The fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

The strong wind will transport the new snow. The fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

The sometimes large wind slabs will be deposited on unfavourable layers. They can be released easily or naturally. The avalanche prone locations are to be found also on steep slopes and adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. Some large natural avalanches are possible. In the typical avalanche paths in particular these can reach the valleys. The dry avalanches can be released in the new snow and wind slab layers. For those venturing off piste a critical avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area. As the temperature drops hardly any more wet and gliding avalanches are to be expected.

The Avalanche Warning Service currently has only a small amount of information that has been collected in the field. Above approximately 2500 m a lot of loosely bonded snow is lying. 50 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Wednesday. The snowpack remains prone to triggering at intermediate and high altitudes. It is unfavourably layered. A lot of rain has fallen. This applies below approximately 2400 m. As a consequence of falling temperatures a crust will form on the surface.

The danger of natural avalanches will decrease gradually.