Rhemes Valley

Wind slabs and wet snow represent the main danger.

Wind slabs and wet snow represent the main danger.

As a consequence of the moderate to strong westerly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations will form. The fresh snow and in particular the wind slabs remain for the foreseeable future prone to triggering in particular on very steep northwest, north and northeast facing slopes. They can be released by a single winter sport participant, in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. The avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are therefore difficult to recognise. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for meticulous route selection. Several small and medium-sized moist and wet avalanches are possible as the day progresses, in the event of prolonged bright spells in particular, caution is to be exercised on extremely steep slopes, as well as in steep rocky terrain. Gliding avalanches are possible even now. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided as far as possible.

15 to 25 cm of snow fell in the last three days above approximately 2000 m. 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 2500 m. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and released avalanches have confirmed a sometimes treacherous avalanche situation on very steep shady slopes. In all aspects less snow than usual is lying. On sunny slopes below approximately 2400 m hardly any snow is lying.

Some snow will fall. The avalanche danger will persist.