La Salle Morgex

On wind-loaded slopes a considerable danger of dry avalanches will be encountered over a wide area. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for extensive experience and restraint.

On wind-loaded slopes a considerable danger of dry avalanches will be encountered over a wide area. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for extensive experience and restraint.

The fresh snow and in particular the deep wind slabs are in some cases prone to triggering. As a consequence of new snow and wind they have increased in size additionally in the last three days. These avalanche prone locations are sometimes covered with new snow and are therefore difficult to recognise. Stability tests and field observations confirm this situation. In the regions exposed to heavier precipitation several medium-sized avalanches were released. Even single snow sport participants can release avalanches in some places. Isolated medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large natural dry avalanches are to be expected.

40 to 70 cm of snow has fallen since Monday above approximately 2000 m. As a consequence of the moderate to strong westerly wind, the snow drift accumulations have increased in size. These are poorly bonded with the old snowpack. Over a wide area new snow and wind slabs are lying on the smooth surface of an old snowpack. Since Tuesday on very steep slopes several medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large avalanches were reported. In particular in high Alpine regions snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack at intermediate and high altitudes. Whumpfing sounds serve as an alarm indicating the danger.

The avalanche danger will persist.