The snowpack structure on the northern flank of the Alps is favourable over widespread areas. Only in isolated cases can avalanches
be triggered in a weak layer above or beneath the rain crust which formed at the end of December. On the other hand, from
the central Valais over the northern Ticino as far as Grisons weak layers are evident more deeply embedded inside the snowpack.
Nevertheless, no further avalanches have triggered from these layers for more than a week.
As a result of solar radiation and daytime warming cycles, gliding avalanches and loose-snow avalanches are possible on the
northern flank of the Alps on very steep south-facing slopes more than anywhere else.