Border Pennine Alps

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

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

The fresh snow and in particular the mostly small wind slabs can be released by a single winter sport participant in all aspects above approximately 2300 m. Weak layers in the old snowpack can be released in isolated cases and mostly by large additional loads. This applies in particular in little used terrain. (--), caution is to be exercised on very steep shady slopes at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack, when entering gullies and bowls for example above approximately 2300 m. In isolated cases the avalanches can be released in the faceted old snow and reach medium size.

Along the border between Valais and Italy 5 to 20 cm of snow has fallen above approximately 1500 m. In some places new snow and wind slabs are lying on old snow containing large grains. Towards its base, the snowpack is faceted and weak. In all aspects snow depths vary greatly at high altitudes and in high Alpine regions, depending on the infuence of the wind. Adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas at elevated altitudes hardly any snow is lying. At low and intermediate altitudes from a snow sport perspective, in most cases insufficient snow is lying.

The avalanche danger will persist.