Avalanche forecast

Border Graie Alps

Arpa Piemonte
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Avalanche danger

Above treeline
3 · Considerable
Below treeline
2 · Moderate
Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

At elevated altitudes a considerable avalanche danger will prevail. Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind slab

    • Above treeline
    Size
    3

    Stability: poor · Frequency: some

  • Persistent weak layers

    • All elevations
    Size
    2

    Stability: poor · Frequency: some

Avalanche Activity

At elevated altitudes a considerable avalanche danger will prevail. Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.

As a consequence of snowfall and the moderate to strong wind, fresh snow drift accumulations formed. These can in some places be released by a single winter sport participant and reach large size. This applies in particular on steep slopes also above the tree line, as well as in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain at intermediate and high altitudes. Avalanches can be released in deeper layers in particular on steep shady slopes. The avalanche prone locations are barely recognisable because of the poor visibility. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack. Careful route selection and spacing between individuals are recommended.

Snowpack Structure

10 to 25 cm of snow fell on Wednesday above approximately 1500 m. As a consequence of new snow and a moderate to strong wind from southerly directions, precarious wind slabs formed. The new snow and wind slabs are lying on soft layers in particular on wind-protected shady slopes. Intermediate and high altitudes: Isolated avalanche prone weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack in particular on very steep shady slopes. Especially steep sunny slopes: As a consequence of rising temperatures and solar radiation a crust formed on the surface on Thursday.

Bulletin data: Arpa Piemonte (via EAWS / avalanche.report)

Regions covered