Cervinia and Upper Valpelline Valley

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

As a consequence of new snow and a strong wind from northerly directions, visible wind slabs formed also in areas not adjacent to ridgelines. These can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases. In particular along the border with France and along the border with Switzerland and at intermediate and high altitudes these avalanche prone locations are more widespread and the danger is greater, caution is to be exercised on very steep slopes at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. Especially here the dry avalanches can be released in the various wind slab layers and reach medium size. Where the wind was less intense, soft slabs have formed. They are bonding with the old snowpack, but are currently hardly detectable. Shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack can indicate the danger. Backcountry touring calls for meticulous route selection. As a consequence of warming and solar radiation, the natural avalanche activity will slowly increase, in particular on extremely steep sunny slopes. As the day progresses, individual moist snow slides are possible. This also applies at the base of rock walls.

In some localities 10 to 20 cm of snow fell yesterday above approximately 2000 m. Until Wednesday the wind will be strong adjacent to ridgelines. 5 to 20 cm of snow has fallen since Sunday above approximately 2000 m. The wind was strong to storm force over a wide area. Over a wide area snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. High altitudes and the high Alpine regions: As you gain altitude, snow cover decreases and becomes uneven. Snow cover is often better at intermediate altitudes, where it's less affected by the wind. The snow on the surface changes rapidly depending on the exposure and slope: crusts of various nature and thickness often alternate. It is hard and its surface has a crust that is strong in many cases. In steep terrain there is a danger of falling on the hard crust, especially adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas. Towards its surface, the snowpack is soft and has a loosely bonded surface, in particular in places that are protected from the wind. The solar radiation gave rise to settling of the snowpack. Weak layers exist in the snowpack in particular on steep shady slopes.

The weather conditions will facilitate a strengthening of the snow drift accumulations. The avalanche prone locations are to be found on wind-loaded slopes at elevated altitudes.