Valgrisenche

Wind slabs require caution. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for restraint.

Wind slabs require caution. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for restraint.

In particular adjacent to ridgelines the wind slabs will increase in size moderately until Monday. The various wind slabs of the last three days can be released even by a single winter sport participant. Adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain the likelihood of avalanches is higher. The fresh wind slabs are to be bypassed as far as possible. These are to be assessed with care and prudence. As the day progresses as a consequence of solar radiation there will be an increase in the avalanche danger within the current danger level. Small and medium-sized natural avalanches are possible, especially at the base of rock walls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, and on very steep slopes, in particular on sunny slopes. In isolated cases avalanches can penetrate down to the ground and reach medium size in isolated cases.

On Saturday on very steep slopes several mostly small avalanches were released. On Friday on very steep slopes several medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large avalanches were observed. The wind was strong to storm force over a wide area. On Sunday the wind was moderate to strong adjacent to ridgelines in particular along the border with France, on the northern Alpine ridge. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are clearly recognisable to the trained eye. They are mostly deep, in particular above approximately 2200 m. Towards its surface, the snowpack is soft and has a loosely bonded surface, in particular on shady slopes. As a consequence of falling temperatures a crust formed on the surface during the night, in particular on sunny slopes below approximately 2300 m. Sunday: Outgoing longwave radiation during the night will be good. In all aspects snow depths vary greatly above approximately 2400 m, depending on the infuence of the wind. Adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas and at high altitude a little snow is lying.

The weather conditions will facilitate a strengthening of the snow drift accumulations. Gradual decrease in avalanche danger.