Cervinia and Upper Valpelline Valley

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. The wind will be strong.

Fresh wind slabs represent the main danger. The wind will be strong.

In some localities 10 to 20 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, will fall during the night above approximately 2000 m. The wind will be strong. As a consequence of new snow and a strong wind from northerly directions, further wind slabs will form also in areas not adjacent to ridgelines. Along the border with France and along the border with Switzerland these avalanche prone locations are more prevalent. The wind slabs can be released, caution is to be exercised at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example. Whumpfing sounds serve as an alarm sign. Especially on wind-loaded slopes the dry avalanches can be released in the various wind slab layers and reach medium size. Backcountry touring calls for meticulous route selection.

In some localities 5 to 20 cm of snow has fallen since Sunday above approximately 2000 m. The wind was strong to storm force over a wide area. The wind has transported the fresh and old snow significantly. Over a wide area snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind. Towards its surface, the snowpack is hard and its surface has a crust that is strong in many cases, in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas. Towards its surface, the snowpack is soft and has a loosely bonded surface, especially in places that are protected from the wind. The solar radiation gave rise to settling of the snowpack. Weak layers exist in the snowpack in particular on steep shady slopes.

The wind will be strong. The avalanche prone locations are to be found on wind-loaded slopes at elevated altitudes.