| AVALANCHE DANGER |
|
Strong wind from NW and some new snow in Valdigne |
Monday 3/18/2019
 |
|
The avalanche danger is 3-considerable in sectors N and W, 2-moderate in central valley, Gran Paradiso Valleys, Ayas and Gressoney Valleys, 1- low elsewhere.
The avalanche problem is: "wind-drifted snow".
Loads are present above the tree line also locally of medium size (40-70 cm in the N-NW sector of the territory). The North, East and South aspects are the most critical. The size and spread of loads increases with altitude and moving towards the French and Swiss border ridges. The new snow which will fall between Sunday and Monday does not change much the current situation. The strong NW wind locally increases the accumulations already present, less visible due to the cloudiness of the morning.
Triggered avalanches
Above the tree line the passage of a single skier on very steep/extreme leeward slopes can trigger medium-sized slabs, not only on slope changes but also on open slope.
Natural avalanches
- small and medium-sized surface slabs from the very steep slopes below the rocky bars,
- new snow small avalanches from extreme slopes and rocks in the W sector.
|
|
|
| AVALANCHE DANGER TREND |
Tuesday 19: |
 |
Wednesday 20: |
|
costant or in gradual decrease in some sectors
|
|
GENERAL CONDITION
updated to 3/17/2019 |
|
|
| Fresh snow and snowpack
The quantities of fresh snow that fell between Thursday and Friday are higher in the Northern sector, along the borders with Switzerland. Fresh snow is moist at least up to 2600- 2800 m in sunny aspect, in north aspect below 2300-2400.
Very strong wind that continues to blow from W-NW.
The recent loose snow (of this week) lean on layers of old hard snow. The snowpack, between about 1800 and 2500 m has weak internal layers that can still be stressed in the event of a widespread heavy overload.
Avalanche activity in the last 48h
Many small avalanches of loose snow from very steep slopes and rocky bars.
Snowcover
The snowcover is below the seasonal average throughout the region: in the west it is better than the rest of the territory, especially in the border areas.
Over 2500 m, the snow cover is more irregular. At high altitudes glaciers have sometimes surfacing ice.
Skiing conditions
The skis can be fitted: at the northern aspect from 1600-1800 m, at the sunniest ones from 2000-2200 m.
At altitude powder (wet down 2400-2500 m) or chalky snow in many areas, otherwise compacted by the wind. Many eroded areas with old hard snow (useful ski crampons).
|
|
|
| EUROPEAN AVALANCHE DANGER SCALE |
 Rising avalanche danger during the day |
|  | 5 | VERY HIGH |
|  | 4 | HIGH |
|  | 3 | CONSIDERABLE |
|  | 2 | MODERATE |
|  | 1 | LOW |
|
| TYPICAL AVALANCHE PROBLEMS |
CRITICAL LOCATIONS |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| NEW SNOW |
WIND-DRIFTED SNOW | PERSISTENT WEAK
LAYERS |
WET SNOW |
GLIDING SNOW |
IN BLACK: THE MORE CRITICAL ASPECTS AND ELEVATIONS |
|
Snow and avalanche bulletin n° 110 issued on 3/17/2019 at 00:00 p.m.
Snow and avalanche bulletin n° 110 issued on 3/17/2019 at 00:00 p.m.
Valid outside the ski runs controlled and managed by the ski resorts. |
 |
For an accurate interpretation of the Bulletin, go here
|
 |
 |
 |
 |