La Salle Morgex

On wind-loaded slopes a considerable danger of dry avalanches will be encountered over a wide area. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for extensive experience and restraint.

On wind-loaded slopes a considerable danger of dry avalanches will be encountered over a wide area. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for extensive experience and restraint.

Wind much stronger than expected in all regions: In all aspects the wind slabs have increased in size once again since Wednesday. The fresh snow and in particular the deep wind slabs are in some cases prone to triggering. They are widespread. These avalanche prone locations are to be found also in places that are some distance from ridgelines above approximately 1800 m and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. In the regions exposed to heavier precipitation several avalanches were released. Even single snow sport participants can release avalanches in some places, including medium-sized ones. Stability tests and field observations confirm this situation. Some medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large natural dry avalanches are possible as a consequence of the moderate to strong northerly wind.

40 to 70 cm of snow has fallen since Monday above approximately 2000 m. As a consequence of new snow and a sometimes storm force northwesterly wind, large surface-area wind slabs formed in the last two days. These are bonding only slowly with the old snowpack. Over a wide area new snow and wind slabs are lying on the smooth surface of an old snowpack. In the last two days on very steep slopes numerous medium-sized and large avalanches were reported. In particular at intermediate and high altitudes snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack at intermediate and high altitudes. Whumpfing sounds serve as an alarm indicating the danger.

The avalanche danger will persist. The wind will be moderate to strong over a wide area.