Avalanche Danger One Notch Below Highest Level After 1m+ Snowfalls in Alps
Avalanche Danger One Notch Below Highest Level After 1m+ Snowfalls in Alps
Published : 06-Mar-2017 08:31
Avalanche danger levels have reached 4 (the next to highest level) across many parts of the Alps as heavy snow has been accompanied by gale force winds and rapidly fluctuating temperatures in places.
An increasing number of ski areas in Austria, France and Italy have now reported more than 1m (3.3 feet) of snow in the past five days, with Tignes topping the table with 145cm (just under 5 feet) of fresh snow since last Wednesday.
Flaine, Meribel, Avoriaz, La Plagne and Madesimo are among resorts reporting more than 1m of fresh snow. In Switzerland the biggest snowfall has been reported by the Aletsch Arena with 89cm (three feet) of snow.
But the snowfall – in many cases the most this season - has been accompanied by other weather extremes and Chamonix, for example, had to close its slopes due to strong winds.
Avalanche danger levels are generally at at least level 3, with ski areas in the Haute Savoie putting danger levels above 1700m at level 4, level 3 below. In Savoie and Isere regions it's a blanket level 4 danger meaning off piste skiing and boarding is very dangerous at present.
The heavy snowfall is expected to continue tomorrow (Tuesday) with resorts like Val d'Isere (above) expected to get another 30cm of snow before easing of later in the week.
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