Valgrisenche

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

As a consequence of a strong wind from northerly directions, clearly visible wind slabs formed on Tuesday, 24 December. These can as before be released by a single winter sport participant, in particular on very steep slopes. These avalanche prone locations are to be found in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, caution is to be exercised at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. Isolated whumpfing sounds indicate an unfavourable avalanche situation in particular on wind-loaded slopes. As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation more small and, in isolated cases, medium-sized dry and moist avalanches are possible below approximately 3000 m, in particular on rocky sunny slopes, as well as at the base of rock walls in particular below approximately 3000 m.

On Tuesday the wind was strong to storm force. The wind slabs are lying on unfavourable layers in particular on shady slopes. Isolated whumpfing sounds and weak layers in the old snowpack indicate the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack. Tuesday: Medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large dry slab avalanches have been released as a consequence of the strong northwesterly wind. In all aspects snow depths vary greatly above approximately 2000 m, depending on the infuence of the wind.

As a consequence of rising temperatures and solar radiation and the mostly light wind, the snow drift accumulations will stabilise during the next few days. The danger of moist avalanches will decrease gradually.