Middle Lys Valley

The danger of moist and wet avalanches will already exist in the early morning.

The danger of moist and wet avalanches will already exist in the early morning.

Less snow than expected fell on Monday. 20 to 40 cm of snow, and up to 50 cm in some localities, has fallen above approximately 2200 m. In the late morning the natural activity of moist and wet avalanches will rapidly increase. At low and intermediate altitudes and on very steep slopes numerous medium-sized moist snow slides and avalanches are to be expected. In some places moist and wet avalanches can be released in deep layers reach quite a large size in particular on very steep northeast, north and northwest facing slopes. Here avalanches, capable of reaching a long way, must be expected in isolated cases. As a consequence of new snow and a moderate wind from southeasterly directions, wind slabs formed at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions. They can be released very easily. The conditions are unfavourable for backcountry touring and other off-piste activities.

The surface of the snowpack will freeze very little. The snowpack will be wet all the way through at low and intermediate altitudes. In the last seven days the natural activity of medium wet and gliding avalanches has gradually increased. At higher altitudes, snow cover becomes thinner and patchy; it is better at mid-altitudes, which are less exposed to the wind. Below approximately 1800 m hardly any snow is lying. Weak layers exist in the snowpack in particular on steep shady slopes.

As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation more moist and wet avalanches are possible.