On the northern flank of the Alps the bonding of the snowpack is favourable over a wide area. Stability tests (rutschblock
and ECT) have triggered fractures in a weak layer lying either on top of or underneath the rain crust that formed at the end
of December, in particular upon application of a medium to large additional load. From central Valais through northern Ticino
to Grisons, weak layers exist deeper in the snowpack. Individual stability tests have continued to trigger fractures in these
layers. For some time now, however, hardly any avalanche releases have been reported in this deep old snow.
At elevated altitudes, a northwesterly wind will transport sometimes loosely bonded old snow, and snow drift accumulations
will form locally. These will be found in gullies and bowls in particular; in most cases they will be small.