Valgrisenche

The fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence and generally at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions.

The fresh wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence and generally at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions.

Wind slabs are lying on the unfavourable surface of an old snowpack in particular on steep shady slopes above approximately 2200 m. Whumpfing sounds are a clear indication. Single winter sport participants can release avalanches in some places, including medium-sized ones. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in northwest to north to northeast facing aspects and in places that are protected from the wind. Transitions into gullies and bowls are especially precarious. Snow sport activities outside marked and open pistes call for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger. As a consequence of warming dry and moist avalanches are possible as the day progresses, but they will be mostly small.

Little snow will fall on Sunday especially along the border with France. Wind slabs will be covered with new snow in some cases and therefore difficult to recognise. Snow depths vary greatly at intermediate and high altitudes, depending on the infuence of the wind. Weak layers exist in the snowpack in particular at intermediate altitudes. Over a wide area wind slabs are lying on a hard crust. The weather conditions on Saturday gave rise to slight moistening of the snowpack in particular on very steep sunny slopes below approximately 2200 m. As a consequence of mild temperatures and partly cloudy skies a crust will form on the surface. The conditions will facilitate a gradual strengthening of the snowpack. The snowpack will be subject to considerable local variations.

The avalanche danger will persist.