Valsavaranche

Wind slabs represent the main danger.

Wind slabs represent the main danger.

The visible wind slabs can be released, especially by large additional loads, in particular on very steep north, east and south facing slopes, in particular adjacent to ridgelines at high altitude, as well as at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example above approximately 2500 m. In very isolated cases avalanches can also be released in near-ground layers.

The snowpack is well consolidated and its surface has a melt-freeze crust that is strong in many cases. This applies in particular on sunny slopes below approximately 2600 m. Faceted weak layers exist in the bottom section of the snowpack at intermediate and high altitudes. In all aspects below approximately 2500 m less snow than usual is lying. Below approximately 2000 m only a little snow is lying. Above the tree line snow depths vary greatly, depending on the infuence of the wind.

Gradual increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of the precipitation. From Sunday, the natural avalanche activity will gradually increase.