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Avalanche danger forecast for
Thursday 5/6/2021


 

AVALANCHE DANGER  

Especially in the west of the Region, new snow at high altitude and strong winds.

Thursday 5/6/2021
  

> 2500-2700


< 2500-2700

Bulletin issued by few informations

Main avalanche problems: wind-drifted snow wet snow in the afternoon.
A new disturbance is expected from Thursday afternoon. There is a dusting of snow at about 2000 m, the most consistent accumulations start from 2500 m, especially in the western area of the Valley, with moderate / strong winds from the western quadrants. During the day new accumulations are formed at high altitudes and below 2500-2700 m a resumption of avalanche activity is expected due to wet snow.Moving towards the SE both the quantity of new snow and the avalanche danger decreases.

Natural avalanches
Especially in the west: surface avalanches with loose or humid cohesion, of small and medium size, on very steep slopes and with rocky bars, especially on less sunny aspects and from the second part of the day. Above 2500 m possible slabs, especially along the western border ridges, in individual cases of large dimensions and able to reach the valley floor along the usual routes. Some small-medium sized avalanches at low altitudes are also possible.

Triggered avalanches
Slabs sensitive to the passage of the single skier on steep slopes, close to ridges, hills or changes in slope at all aspects above 2500 m. They are more common along the Alpine ridge, even in the areas between Valpelline and Monte Rosa. Some fresh/recent wet snow that can come off under the skis at lower altitudes on sunny slopes.


AVALANCHE DANGER TREND  Friday 7:    Saturday 8:  

Avalanche danger likely to increase on Friday with the disturbance, winds at high altitude and possible spells in the second part of the day. Decreasing on Saturday morning, possibly increasing in the hottest hours.


GENERAL CONDITION
updated to 5/5/2021
  Please note: in the closed ski-resorts areas slopes are not managed and must therefore be considered as potentially avalanche terrain

Recent and new snow
In the last night, a new snowfall affected mainly the western areas, with even 15-20 cm of snow above 2200-2500 m. Above 2800-3000 m, the quantities may be slightly higher. Moving eastward, the amounts of fresh snow drop rapidly.Accumulations of fresh / recent snow are mostly found along the north-west border ridge, above 2500-2700m, where locally 50-60cm of loose snow can be found.

Snowcover
The snow cover is uneven and lower than the average for the period. It is scarce in the mid-mountain and southern slopes, best in the north-west of the region. Bumps and ridges are often eroded, while channels and hollows have more snow.For ski touring in the south the snow is sufficiently continuous above 2200-2300 m, in the north above 1900-2100 m.

Snowpack stability
The snowpack is isothermal and still has a superficial instability between the recent snow and the old one, moreover it is humidified in all its thickness below 2500-2700 m, even if it is slowly drying thanks to the thermal drop. There are unstable snow slabs at high altitudes, especially close to the ridges and in the canals.

Avalanches reported last 48h
Today poor visibility. Yesterday many sluffs and small surface avalanches of wet and wet fresh snow have been reported at different aspects and altitudes. Some spontaneous slabs of medium size above 2800 m.

Conditions for skiing
Dry loose snow only at high altitudes. Surface and central layers of the snowpack are wet up to 2500-2700 m.

Weather forecast

SNOW AND WEATHER CONDITIONS OF THE 7 LAST DAYS  
Monte Bianco Gran San Bernardo Gran Paradiso Monte Rosa

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° 157 issued on 5/5/2021 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