Gruyère

Snowpack

New snow and a strong westerly wind have led to the formation of fresh accumulations of snowdrift (wind slabs). They continue to grow as the day progresses in the persistently strong westerly wind. The snowdrift is prone to triggering in places but can for the most part be easily spotted. Apart from that, the snowpack structure is generally favourable. In recent days, there have only been isolated cases of avalanches being triggered by people in near-surface layers.

Gliding avalanche activity has decreased appreciably in the past few days. However, individual cases of medium-sized and occasionally large gliding avalanches are still possible, especially at altitudes between 2000 and 2500 m.

Weather forecast for Berchtold's Day, 02.01.2024

After a partially clear night, it will be mostly very cloudy during the day. Precipitation will set in from the west in the early morning. The snowfall level will increase to around 1600 m. In the south and in Grisons, it will probably remain dry until the evening.

New fallen snow

From Tuesday early morning until Tuesday afternoon above approximately 1800 m, the following amounts of fresh snow are expected:

• the extreme west of Lower Valais: 5 to 15 cm;
• the northern flank of the Alps and the rest of Valais: a few centimetres; elsewhere dry.

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, between 0 °C in the north and -5 °C in the south.

Wind

There will be a strong wind, with a stormy westerly wind in the high Alpine regions at times.

Weather review for New Year's Day, 01.01.2024

During Sunday (New Year's Eve) night, there was widespread snowfall above 1200 m. It was partially sunny in the mountains during the day.

New fallen snow

From Sunday afternoon until Monday early morning, the following amounts of fresh snow were recorded above approximately 1500 m:

• the extreme west of Lower Valais and the western part of the Main Alpine ridge from the Rheinwaldhorn to the Bernina Pass and to the south of this: 20 to 30 cm;
• the Vaud and Fribourg Alps, northern Ticino and the rest of Grisons: 10 to 20 cm;
• elsewhere: up to 10 cm.

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, between -5 °C in the north and -3 °C in the south.

Wind

Moderate to strong winds blew from the west.

Trend until Thursday, 04.01.2024Wednesday

During Tuesday night, snow will fall widely in the north and west above 1500 m. By the time the precipitation stops in the late morning of Wednesday, 20 to 40 cm of snow will have fallen in the extreme west of Lower Valais, and widely 5 to 15 cm elsewhere. It will be dry in the south and in eastern Grisons. It will be quite sunny in the mountains during the day. There will be a strong to stormy westerly wind.

The danger of dry avalanches will increase slightly in some regions, especially in the west.

Thursday

Precipitation will fall again in the north during Wednesday night. The snowfall level will drop to around 1300 m. By the time the precipitation stops on Thursday afternoon, 20 to 30 cm of snow may have fallen in the extreme west of Lower Valais, with less anticipated elsewhere. It will be fairly sunny during the day. There will continue to be a strong to stormy westerly wind.

The danger of dry avalanches may increase again slightly in the west and north. It will not change significantly in the other regions.