Bex-Villars

Considerable danger of dry and wet avalanches will be encountered over a wide area.

As the day progresses as a consequence of new snow and strong wind there will be an increase in the danger of dry avalanches within the current danger level. The avalanche prone locations for dry avalanches are to be found in particular on west, north and east facing slopes above approximately 2400 m. Avalanches can be released by a single winter sport participant. In addition as the day progresses an increasing number of natural avalanches are to be expected. The avalanche prone locations for wet avalanches are to be found in all aspects below approximately 2400 m. The rain gave rise to a loss of strength within the snowpack especially on steep shady slopes between approximately 1800 and 2400 m. In particular here avalanches can release the saturated snowpack and reach very large size in isolated cases. On steep grassy slopes gliding avalanches are possible. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for caution and restraint.

Snowpack On west-facing, north-facing and east-facing slopes above approximately 2200 m more than anywhere else, there are still weak layers deeply embedded inside the snow cover. In the western and the northern regions, these weak layers are as a rule significantly more heavily blanketed by fresher layers of snow than in the regions of the southern Valais as far as Grisons. In those regions, for that reason, fractures are even easier to trigger in the weak old snow cover by winter sports enthusiasts. Higher temperatures and rainfall have intensified the process of the snowpack becoming ever-more-thoroughly wet. North-facing slopes at altitudes between 2000 and 2500 m are becoming thoroughly wet for the first time, east-facing slopes between 2500 and 2800 m. South-facing slopes and for the most part also west-facing slopes are thoroughly wet up to still higher altitudes. The prognosticated amounts of fresh fallen snow are expected to bond well with the old snowpack surface. Where the snowpack was moist prior to precipitation, a crust will gradually form. More deeply embedded layers inside the snow cover will nevertheless remain weak to begin with. Observed weather review Thursday, 30.03.2023 Skies were heavily overcast for the most part, accompanied by showers and bright intervals in the inneralpine regions more than anywhere else. The snowfall level lay between 2600 and 1800 m. Fresh snow Above approximately 2600 m the following amounts of fresh snow were registered:

• 5 to 10 cm over widespread areas, in the Aletsch region approximately 20 cm more, in central Grisons, less;
• on the southern flank of the Alps it remained dry.

Temperature At midday at 2000 m, +4 °C over widespread areas, approximately +6 °C in inneralpine regions. Wind Winds were blowing from westerly-to-southwesterly directions,

• in the Valais and on the northern flank of the Alps at moderate to strong velocity;
• in the remaining regions of Switzerland blowing at light to moderate strength.

Weather forecast through Friday, 31.03.2023 Skies will be variably cloudy to heavily overcast, accompanied by only a few bright intervals, particularly in the inneralpine parts of Grisons. During the nocturnal hours, predominantly showerlike precipitation will set in from the west. This will be heavy in the northern and furthermost western parts of the Lower Valais. The snowfall level is expected to descend from 2000 down to 1600 m. Fresh snow Above 2000 m the following amounts of fresh snow are expected:

• northern and furthermost western part of the Lower Valais: 20 to 40 cm; more from place to place;
• remaining parts of the Lower Valais, northern Upper Valais, western sector of the northern flank of the Alps: 10 to 20 cm;
• in the other regions of Switzerland, 5 to 15 cm.

Temperature Temperatures are expected to drop. At midday at 2000 m, 0 °C. Wind Winds will be blowing from westerly to southwesterly directions, mostly at strong to storm strength. Outlook through Sunday, 02.04.2023 Skies in the northern regions will be heavily overcast for the most part, accompanied by further intensive precipitation, particularly in the furthermost western part of the Lower Valais and on the northern Alpine Ridge. In those regions, an additional 40 to 70 cm of snowfall is anticipated. The snowfall level will descend down to approximately 1000 m by Sunday. Winds from westerly to northwesterly directions will still be blowing at strong to storm strength on Saturday, subsequently on Sunday still at moderate to strong velocity. On the southern flank of the Alps it is expected to be rather sunny as a result of northerly foehn wind. Avalanche danger levels are expected to increase further, particularly in the western and the northern regions. Danger levels can even reach Danger Level 4 (high), initially in the furthermost western regions, subsequently also in the remaining regions of the northern Alpine Ridge west of the Reuss. The conditions for winter sports away from secured ski runs are unfavourable over widespread areas. In some regions, even high-altitude transportation routes can be placed at risk. The situation south of the Main Alpine Ridge is more favourable.