Northern Lepontine Alps

The wind slabs represent the main danger. In addition there is a danger of moist and wet avalanches.

The wind slabs represent the main danger. In addition there is a danger of moist and wet avalanches.

As a consequence of the strong northwesterly wind, fresh snow drift accumulations formed during the last few days. These can be released by a single winter sport participant in particular on north to east to southeast facing aspects above approximately 2500 m. The wind slabs are to be found in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in gullies and bowls and generally in the high Alpine regions. Caution is to be exercised at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. From starting zones where no previous releases have taken place in particular moist avalanches can in isolated cases still reach fairly large size, in particular on very steep sunny slopes below approximately 2700 m, as well as at the base of rock walls. Backcountry touring calls for meticulous route selection.

The strong wind has transported some snow. In some cases the wind slabs have bonded still only poorly with each other and the old snowpack. Individual weak layers exist in the snowpack on wind-loaded slopes. The high temperatures gave rise to moistening of the snowpack below approximately 2500 m. Field observations have indicated poor snowpack stability on very steep sunny slopes.

The avalanche danger will decrease gradually.