Avalanche problems: new snow and wind-drifted snow up to 3000 m.
At 2500 m from Monday:
- 150 cm in the valleys bordering Piedmont and the head of Valtournenche;
- 70-110 cm in the rest of the region.
Wet/very wet snow up to 2300/2400 m. Dry above 2700/2800 m.
Strong S-SE wind during the snowfalls, above 3000 m many wind slabs, especially on the N slopes.
Avalanche activity and criticities
Many avalanches occured in recent days. Mostly small and medium-sized wet snow ground avalanches. In the areas most affected by snowfall, in some cases they have reached the valley floor but didn't reach the main roads.
Over 3000 m a skier can provoke cracks that propagate in the snowpack, and it is probable, on the steep slopes, to trigger surface slab avalanches. Presence of slabs especially on the northern slopes.
Trend
New fresh snow, over 2300/2500 m, with moderate quantities always in the valleys bordering the Piedmont and upper Valtournenche. You will have a higher snow/rain limit, so the rain will overload the snowpack at higher altitudes. While the wind above 3000 m will increase the accumulations already present.
Other ground wet slabs, small and medium-sized from the usual steep gullies, will occur. At high altitudes a skier can trigger slabs, from the steep slopes overloaded form the wind drifted snow. Greater criticality near the ridges, entry of the gullies and slope changes.
The next informations will be issued according to the snow and weather conditions.
|