Middle Lys Valley

As a consequence of the sometimes strong westerly wind the avalanche prone locations will become more prevalent.

As a consequence of the sometimes strong westerly wind the avalanche prone locations will become more prevalent.

As a consequence of a gathering strong wind from westerly directions, further wind slabs will form in the course of the day in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. They are mostly easy to recognise but in some cases prone to triggering. The wind slabs can be released even by a single winter sport participant in all aspects and above the tree line. Mostly the avalanches in these loacations are medium-sized. On steep, little used shady slopes the avalanches can penetrate even deep layers and reach large size in isolated cases. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack. Especially wind-loaded slopes where weaknesses exist in the old snowpack are unfavourable.

Some small and medium-sized dry slab avalanches have been released by people last week. The new snow and wind slabs of last week are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack in particular on shady slopes. Large-grained weak layers exist in the old snowpack here. At intermediate and high altitudes snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind.

As a consequence of low temperatures and the moderate wind, the snowpack can not consolidate during the next few days.