Middle Lys Valley

In high Alpine regions the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and larger.

In high Alpine regions the avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and larger.

The current avalanche situation calls for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger. The fresh snow and the wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence at intermediate and high altitudes. Single snow sport participants can release avalanches, including large ones. This applies in particular on very steep slopes adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls. As the day progresses as a consequence of warming during the day there will be an increase in the danger of moist and wet avalanches. Moist avalanches can in some places be released in the weakly bonded old snow. Backcountry tours should be started and concluded early.

A clear night will be followed in the early morning by favourable avalanche conditions generally, but the avalanche danger will increase later. The surface of the snowpack will freeze to form a strong crust. The weather conditions facilitated a gradual strengthening of the snow drift accumulations. 15 to 30 cm of snow has fallen since Sunday above approximately 2500 m. Since Sunday the wind has been moderate to strong at times in some localities. As a consequence of the southwesterly wind the wind slabs have increased in size additionally on Monday. Towards its surface, the snowpack is moist and its surface has a crust that is strong in many cases. New snow and wind slabs are lying on a moist old snowpack. Below approximately 2000 m a little snow is lying.

More dry and moist avalanches are possible as the day progresses.