Monregalese Valleys

At intermediate and high altitudes a critical avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area. New snow and wind slabs represent the main danger.

At intermediate and high altitudes a critical avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area. New snow and wind slabs represent the main danger.

As a consequence of new snow and a strong southwesterly wind, avalanche prone wind slabs formed. They can be released easily and reach very large size. This applies in particular on steep slopes above the tree line, as well as in gullies and bowls, and behind abrupt changes in the terrain. In many cases avalanches can be triggered in the various wind slab layers. The avalanche prone locations are barely recognisable because of the poor visibility. Whumpfing sounds and the formation of shooting cracks when stepping on the snowpack and natural avalanches are a clear indication of a weakly bonded snowpack. It is inadvisable to engage in backcountry touring outside marked and open pistes.

Over a wide area 30 to 40 cm of snow, and even more in some localities, fell yesterday. As a consequence of the strong southwesterly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations formed. Over a wide area new snow and wind slabs are lying on a weakly bonded old snowpack.