Valgrisenche

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow represent the main danger.

The fresh and older wind slabs are lying on weak layers especially on east to north to northwest facing aspects above approximately 2400 m. Skiers can release avalanches in isolated cases, with a large load in most cases, in particular in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain on very steep slopes. In isolated cases the avalanches are medium-sized. In addition as the day progresses on south, southeast and southwest facing slopes, further individual mostly small moist and wet avalanches are possible. This applies in particular in case of releases originating from very steep starting zones at intermediate and high altitudes that have retained the snow thus far.

In some regions 10 to 25 cm of snow, but less in some localities, fell on Sunday above approximately 2300 m. The sleet gave rise to moistening of the snowpack in all aspects below approximately 2300 m. As a consequence of highly fluctuating temperatures and rain a crust formed on the surface at the weekend. Weak layers exist in the old snowpack on shady slopes. Sunshine and high temperatures will give rise as the day progresses to moistening of the snowpack on very steep south facing slopes at low and intermediate altitudes. These conditions will foster a gradual strengthening of the snowpack especially below approximately 3000 m. At intermediate and high altitudes snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind.

The weather conditions will foster a gradual change towards better conditions in all regions. The avalanche danger will decrease gradually.