Valsavaranche

Wind and new snow above approximately 2000 m.

Wind and new snow above approximately 2000 m.

10 to 15 cm of snow, but less in some localities, will fall until the early morning above approximately 2500 m. As a consequence of new snow and a strong wind from northwesterly directions, mostly small wind slabs will form. The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are to be assessed with care and prudence. The sometimes deep wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in some cases in particular on steep northwest, east and southwest facing slopes above approximately 2500 m. Caution is to be exercised in particular in steep starting zones that have retained the snow thus far. In some places avalanches can also penetrate deep layers. Backcountry touring calls for defensive route selection. In particular on very steep south and east facing slopes more small and, in isolated cases, medium-sized moist and wet avalanches are possible.

The exceptional weather conditions gave rise to moistening of the snowpack over a wide area below approximately 2600 m. The snowpack is wet and its surface has a crust that is not capable of bearing a load, especially below approximately 2300 m. In particular east, north and west facing slopes: Weak layers exist in the snowpack at intermediate and high altitudes. In very isolated cases weak layers exist in the old snowpack below approximately 2300 m. Below approximately 2000 m only a little snow is lying.

Significant decrease in avalanche danger as the temperature drops.