Upper Susa and Chisone Valleys

The fresh snow and the wind slabs represent the main danger. Natural moist avalanches are possible from the morning.

The fresh snow and the wind slabs represent the main danger. Natural moist avalanches are possible from the morning.

The wind was moderate to strong at times especially in the regions exposed to the foehn wind. In gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain as well as above the tree line further wind slabs formed. In particular in starting zones where no previous releases have taken place and in the regions exposed to heavier precipitation more medium-sized and large avalanches are possible. The wind slabs can be released even by a single winter sport participant at intermediate and high altitudes. As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation moist and wet avalanches are possible below approximately 2300 m. Ski touring and other off-piste activities, including snowshoe hiking, call for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and careful route selection.

Over a wide area 40 to 60 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, has fallen since Saturday. A lot of snow is lying at intermediate and high altitudes. In some places new snow is lying on a hard crust. Weak layers exist in the old snowpack. In addition wind slabs formed in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. In the last few days medium-sized to large avalanches were observed. The high temperatures in the late morning will give rise to increasing and thorough wetting of the snowpack in particular at low and intermediate altitudes.