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In the west a considerable avalanche danger will be encountered in some regions. Weak layers in the old snowpack necessitate caution.

Avalanches can in isolated cases be released by people and reach medium size. The avalanche prone locations are barely recognisable. Caution is to be exercised in particular in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow on very steep slopes. As a consequence of wind, wind slabs will form in particular adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas as well as at elevated altitudes. These are mostly small but prone to triggering. Backcountry touring calls for careful route selection.

Snowpack Fresh and drifting snow are being deposited on an unfavourable snowpack. The base of the snowpack is faceted and loosely bonded over a wide area. Avalanches can penetrate deep layers of the snowpack. Below approximately 2000 m and on steep south facing slopes at high altitudes, the thin snowpack is mostly moist. As a consequence of rain, wet snow and gliding avalanches can be released below approximately 2000 m in all aspects. Observed weather review Tuesday, 20.12.2022 The night was partly clear. During the day it was quite sunny in the mountains despite occasional high-altitude cloud. It was exceptionally mild again. Fresh snow - Temperature At midday at 2000 m: between +7 °C in the north and 0 °C in the south; the zero degree level will be approximately 3400 m Wind

• In the west and generally at elevated altitudes, moderate, but strong in isolated cases, from the south to southwest
• Otherwise mostly light

Weather forecast through Wednesday, 21.12.2022 On Tuesday night, precipitation will arrive from the northwest. It will be very cloudy during the day. In the north precipitation will fall at times; the south will remain dry. The snowfall level will be approximately 1800 m, but also a little higher for a while in the west. Fresh snow In the period to Wednesday afternoon above 2000 m:

• Extreme west of Lower Valais: 10 to 20 cm
• Western part of the northern flank of the Alps, rest of Lower Valais: 5 to 10 cm
• Less elsewhere and dry in Grisons and the south

Temperature At midday at 2000 m: about +1 °C Wind Veering from southwest to west

• On the northern flank of the Alps, moderate to strong
• Otherwise mostly moderate

Outlook through Friday, 23.12.2022 With a strong and sometimes storm force westerly wind, on Thursday and Friday there will be recurring precipitation on the northern flank of the Alps. The snowfall level on Thursday will be approximately 1800 m. It will rise on Friday, towards 2500 m in the west. Above 2500 m in the Bernese Alps and western Lower Valais, in some regions more than half a metre of snow could fall. On the southern flank of the Alps it will be partly sunny and mostly dry. The avalanche danger will increase over a wide area on the northern flank of the Alps. On Friday danger level 4 (high) could be reached at high altitudes in some western regions. On the southern flank of the Alps the avalanche danger will not change significantly.