Varaita and Po Valleys

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on steep slopes above approximately 2700 m and in the vicinity of peaks. Above approximately 2800 m these avalanche prone locations are more prevalent. New snow and wind slabs can in isolated cases be released by small loads and reach medium size. In some places new snow is lying on a hard crust. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised as well in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls. Thus far hardly any moist and wet avalanches are to be expected as the temperature drops. The Avalanche Warning Service currently has only a small amount of information that has been collected in the field.

Especially in the west in some localities up to 50 cm of snow has fallen since Thursday above approximately 2700 m. The sleet gave rise on Friday to extreme moistening of the snowpack over a wide area below approximately 2600 m. As a consequence of sharply falling temperatures the snowpack will consolidate at the weekend. In addition sometimes avalanche prone wind slabs will form in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls and in the high Alpine regions as the day progresses. Below approximately 2300 m from a snow sport perspective, in most cases insufficient snow is lying.