Engelberg

Snowpack

The fresh snow and sometimes stormy westerly winds are resulting in snowdrift accumulations. On the northern Alpine ridge and in Valais these are in some cases becoming large, while elsewhere they are mostly medium-sized. Beneath the fresh and drifted snow, the old snowpack contains coarse-grained weak layers on steep north-facing slopes at highger altitudes.

Saturation of the snowpack is currently scarcely progressing. Wet snow avalanches that can sweep away the entire snowpack are therefore relatively rare. The most precarious areas remain north-facing slopes between 2200 and 2500 m.

Weather forecast to Monday

During the night and on Monday, there will be repeated episodes of precipitation, sometimes in the form of thunderstorms. The snowfall level will initially be around 2200 m and will drop to 1800 m in the north on Monday.

Fresh snow

From Sunday evening to Monday evening above approximately 2400 m:

• northern and extreme west of Lower Valais, Vaud Alps and from the Avers to the Bernina region: 20 to 40 cm
• elsewhere a widespread 10 to 20 cm

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, between +5 °C in the southwest and +1 °C in the northeast

Wind

• During the night mostly moderate southwesterly
• Increasing to strong westerly over the course of the day

Weather review for Sunday

Conditions were mostly cloudy overnight to Sunday. In the morning, there was precipitation initially in the south, but also in the west during the day. The snowfall level was around 2400 m. In the northeast conditions remained mostly dry, and sunny at times.

Fresh snow

On the main Alpine ridge and south of there, 5 to 10 cm

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, around +5 °C in the west, +3 °C in the south and +8 °C in the east

Wind

Often moderate from southerly directions

OutlookTuesday

Until Tuesday morning, the north will see widespread precipitation, which will be heaviest on the northern Alpine ridge with 20 to 30 cm. The snowfall level will fall from 1800 m to around 1200 m. During the day the south and Valais will be mostly sunny, while elsewhere it will often remain cloudy. The wind will be a strong, locally storm-force westerly to northwesterly, easing in the afternoon.

The danger of dry avalanches will increase over a wide area. In addition, with the sunshine over the course of the day the fresh snow is expected to produce loose snow avalanches and wet snow slides.

Wednesday

Overnight to Wednesday there will be cloudy intervals. During the day, there will be many cloudy spells, interspersed with sunny intervals. Winds will be light to moderate from westerly directions.

The danger of dry avalanches will decrease. In high Alpine regions, however, caution will still be required. The danger of wet avalanches will increase as the day progresses.