Bex-Villars

A favourable avalanche situation will prevail.

As a consequence of a strong westerly wind, small wind slabs will form in some localities. These are to be evaluated with care and prudence in extremely steep terrain. Even a small avalanche can sweep people along and give rise to falls. In high Alpine regions these avalanche prone locations are more prevalent and the danger is greater. Avalanches can additionally in very isolated cases be released in the old snowpack in particular on little used shady slopes. Extremely slopes are to be traversed by snow sport participants one at a time.

Snowpack The snowpack has been influenced by wind and the sun over a wide area. Loosely bonded, faceted snow is still to be found only on wind-protected shady slopes at high altitudes. A thick layer of surface hoar has formed over a wide area on shady slopes that are protected from the wind. On north facing slopes on the northern flank of the Alps, faceted layers exist in the snowpack in some places. On north facing slopes in southern Valais and in Grisons, the entire old snowpack is also faceted and loosely bonded over a wide area. Avalanche releases in relatively deep weak layers have been reported only seldom In the last two weeks. The snow depths in the Swiss Alps remain well below average. On the flat sites occupied by the measuring stations at high altitudes, the values are only around half those usually recorded. Observed weather review Monday, 06.03.2023 The night was mostly clear. During the day in the inneralpine regions and in the mountains it was partly sunny above approximately 1800 to 2000 m, but low stratus-like cloud cover prevailed at lower altitudes. Fresh snow - Temperature At midday at 2000 m: about -4 °C Wind On the northern flank of the Alps and generally at elevated altitudes, moderate from the southwest, otherwise mostly light Weather forecast through Tuesday, 07.03.2023 On Monday night in the mountains the skies will be mostly clear. During the daytime it will be sunny at first. As the day progresses, dense cloud will build up from the southwest. It will, however, remain dry. Fresh snow - Temperature At midday at 2000 m: about -3 °C Wind On the northern flank of the Alps and generally at elevated altitudes, strong from the southwest to west Outlook through Thursday, 09.03.2023 On Tuesday night a little precipitation will fall over a wide area. Wednesday and Thursday will be very cloudy on the northern flank of the Alps and in Valais. In particular in the western part of the northern flank of the Alps and in Lower Valais there will be persistent precipitation, which will be heavy in some cases. The snowfall level will rise from 700 m on Tuesday evening to between 1600 and 1800 m on Wednesday evening. On Thursday it will be approximately 1500 m. In total, 30 to 50 cm of snow may fall in Lower Valais above approximately 2000 m, but more than 60 cm could fall along the border with France. Otherwise, on the northern flank of the Alps and in Upper Valais, 15 to 30 cm of fresh snow is to be expected over a wide area. The wind will be strong to storm force from the west. In central and southern Grisons and on the southern flank of the Alps it will be partly cloudy. A little precipitation will fall in some regions. As a consequence of fresh snow and wind, the avalanche danger will increase at high altitudes over a wide area, and significantly in the north and west. As a consequence of rain, wet snow avalanches can be released at intermediate altitudes on north facing slopes. In the south and the inneralpine regions of Grisons, the avalanche danger will change only a little.