Middle Lys Valley

Wind slabs are to be evaluated critically.

Wind slabs are to be evaluated critically.

The wind will be strong adjacent to ridgelines. In particular here the wind slabs will increase in size additionally. The fresh wind slabs must be evaluated with care and prudence. They represent the main danger. These can be released in isolated cases in particular on extremely steep south, southeast and east facing slopes above approximately 2600 m. The avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. Especially on extremely steep slopes natural avalanches must be expected. As a consequence of warming during the day individual small dry and moist avalanches are to be expected above approximately 2400 m.

The Avalanche Warning Service currently has only a small amount of information that has been collected in the field. In particular in the regions of the north that are exposed to the foehn wind stormy weather and new snow: On Friday the wind slabs have increased in size. At low and intermediate altitudes only a little snow is lying. Since Monday in all aspects numerous small and, in isolated cases, medium-sized avalanches occurred naturally, including ones originating in starting zones where avalanches had already been released. The rain gave rise to rapid and thorough wetting of the snowpack over a wide area in particular on very steep slopes below approximately 3000 m. As a consequence of falling temperatures, the natural avalanche activity has rapidly decreased. The surface of the snowpack has frozen to form a strong crust. Towards its surface, the snowpack is favourably layered and its surface has a crust that is strong in many cases. The old snowpack will be generally well bonded. This applies in particular below approximately 2800 m.

The avalanche danger will persist.