Maira and Grana Valleys

Fresh wind slabs at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions.

Fresh wind slabs at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions.

Some fresh snow as well as the mostly small wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases in all aspects above approximately 2400 m. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in steep terrain at intermediate and high altitudes and in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. As a consequence of solar radiation the avalanche prone locations will become more prevalent as the day progresses. Backcountry tours should be concluded timely.

In some localities 5 to 15 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell in the last few days. As a consequence of new snow and wind, wind slabs formed in particular adjacent to ridgelines as well as at intermediate and high altitudes. In some cases the wind slabs have bonded poorly with the old snowpack. Adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas as well as in high Alpine regions snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Over a wide area less snow than usual is lying.