Northern Lepontine Alps

Wind slabs represent the main danger.

Wind slabs represent the main danger.

20 to 40 cm of snow has fallen since Sunday above approximately 1600 m. Since Monday the wind has been strong. The clearly visible wind slabs of the last few days can be released by a single winter sport participant in particular on west to north to east facing aspects above the tree line. On wind-loaded slopes the avalanches can be triggered in the various wind slab layers and reach large size. In particular places where weaknesses exist in the old snowpack are unfavourable. Caution is to be exercised in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain at intermediate and high altitudes.

As a consequence of a strong northeasterly wind, sometimes deep wind slabs formed since Monday in particular in areas not adjacent to ridgelines. In addition soft wind slabs formed in places that are protected from the wind. Outgoing longwave radiation during the night was good. Low and intermediate altitudes sunny slopes: The surface of the snowpack has frozen to form a strong crust. Adjacent to ridgelines in high Alpine regions snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind.