On Wednesday night and during the morning of Thursday, a disturbance has brought fresh snow in particular in border areas with France and Switzerland. At 2100-2200 m was deposited only a dusting (quickly merged already Thursday), while at 2500 m were deposited from 10 to 15 cm in the upper valley, 5-10 in the valleys of the Gran Paradiso and 1-5 on the Monte Rosa area. Above 2800 m the snowfall was higher with peaks of 25-30 cm always in the upper valley.
The new snow has gone to lean on an old typical spring snow with spring snow, fully seated and crust mostly by refreezing.
Yesterday the new snow has undergone a rapid humidification and settlement so that below 2250-2500 m the snowpack has reduced its also a 10-15 cm thick. At this altitude is a mantle with a variable thickness depending on who is in very sunny slopes, where it is being complete fusion, or more shade slopes where the snow has been better preserved thanks to the cold temperatures and the ' good night refreezing surface had in recent days. In these locations the snow conditions are still good, it is a stable spring snowpack with a thickness of 40 to 200 cm of snow, and you can put on the skis starting from 1900-2200 m and up. Above 2800-3000 m the snowcover and quality of surface snow are good for the season.
Thursday moderate and strong wind from the north-westerly involving especially the border with France and Switzerland. Above 3000 m were formed on the slopes under the wind near ridges and passes small wind slabs, some broke away naturally forming small avalanches. Warning it is possible that such small slabs, currently visible, lean on old snow very hard, can be triggers to a single skier passage mainly on steep slopes above 2800-3000 m especially near of elevation changes.
From today rising temperatures. These will improve the stability of the new slabs, however, will cause increased spontaneous activity. On very steep slopes in all aspects above 2800 m of altitude, especially in areas where it snowed more, will originate sluffs of loose snow and, where the snowpack is very wet and the slope still not purged, small slabs or medium, even to the ground.
When planning your trips to always remember the rise of temperature. You will need to end the activities in time, remember the altitude and exposure of the route. The surface refreezing will only little in the morning and perceptible starting from 2300-2500 m; during the morning there will be a rapid decrease of stability and skiing conditions of the snow.
Between Sunday and Monday are expected to spread even moderate rainfall along the border ridge with France and Switzerland, moderate southern winds, falling temperatures and 2200-2400 m snow limit. During the next week you will have to pay attention to the possible formation of new potentially unstable accumulations at high altitude and the increase of natural release especially during the first sunny day with mild temperature. |