Valgrisenche

New snow and wind slabs represent the main danger.

New snow and wind slabs represent the main danger.

As a consequence of new snow and a moderate to strong wind from northwesterly directions, further wind slabs will form in the course of the day at intermediate and high altitudes. They will be deposited on unfavourable layers. The fresh snow of the last few days and in particular the wind slabs to be found in gullies and bowls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain can be released easily or naturally. In very isolated cases avalanches can penetrate down to the ground and reach quite a large size. Small and medium-sized dry and moist avalanches are to be expected as the day progresses, especially at the base of rock walls and behind abrupt changes in the terrain, and on very steep slopes, in the event of prolonged bright spells in particular on sunny slopes.

20 to 30 cm of snow, and up to 40 cm in some localities, fell on Tuesday above approximately 2000 m. In the last two days the wind was moderate at times in some localities. In some places wind slabs are lying on a weakly bonded old snowpack. Towards its surface, the snowpack is soft and has a loosely bonded surface. Towards its surface, the snowpack is moist, in particular below approximately 2100 m. Steep sunny slopes: Underneath the fresh snow there is a more or less load-bearing refreezing crust. In all aspects snow depths vary greatly above approximately 2400 m, depending on the infuence of the wind. Adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas and at high altitude a little snow is lying.

As a consequence of the sometimes strong wind the activity of small and medium slab avalanches will gradually increase.