Rhemes Valley

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger.

As a consequence of new snow and a sometimes strong wind from westerly directions, avalanche prone wind slabs will form during the night. In the course of the day they will increase in size once again. The new snow and wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant. The avalanche prone locations are to be found on steep slopes and on wind-loaded slopes. On very steep slopes small and medium-sized natural dry avalanches are possible, caution is to be exercised in particular along the border with France. Persistent weak layers. These avalanche prone locations are rare and are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye, caution is to be exercised in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example between approximately 2700 and 3000 m, and in little used backcountry terrain. Whumpfing sounds are a clear indication.

20 to 40 cm of snow will fall until Wednesday above approximately 2000 m. The sometimes strong wind will transport the new snow. The unusual weather conditions on Sunday gave rise to moistening of the snowpack below approximately 2500 m. As a consequence of falling temperatures a crust formed on the surface. Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution. The number of places where avalanches can be triggered has clearly decreased, but not the size of avalanches. The snowpack will be generally subject to considerable local variations. In all aspects snow depths vary greatly above approximately 2000 m, depending on the infuence of the wind.

As a consequence of new snow and wind the prevalence of the avalanche prone locations will increase. The avalanche danger will persist.