Luganese

In the northeast a considerable avalanche danger will be encountered in some regions.

Individual avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular in extremely steep terrain. Even a small avalanche can sweep snow sport participants along and give rise to falls.

Snowpack Somewhat larger-sized snowdrift accumulations have been generated from the fresh snow, in eastern regions more than anywhere else. In the remaining regions of Switzerland the snowdrift accumulations are relatively small-sized. They lie deposited atop an unfavourable old snowpack surface especially distant from ridgelines and are frequently prone to triggering. More deeply embedded inside the snowpack from the southern Valais over the Gotthard region as far as Grisons, there are numerous softened, expansively metamorphosed (faceted) layers evident which are wedged between consolidated layers and crusts. These faceted layers are especially pronounced in places where the snowpack is shallow and where one breaks through to the ground on skis. On the northern flank of the Alps, the lowermost sector of the snowpack is often well consolidated, however, on top of it there are several expansively metamorphosed (faceted) layers embedded inside the snowpack. In the northern and the furthermost western part of the Lower Valais the snowpack layering is most favourable and there are hardly any pronounced weak layers evident. Observed weather review Thursday, 02.02.2023 In the northern and in the eastern regions there was a small amount of snowfall registered above approximately 600 m. During the daytime in the western regions and the Engadine, there were brief intervals of brightness, in the southern Valais and in the Ticino it was predominantly sunny. Fresh snow Between Wednesday evening and Thursday afternoon, the following amounts of fresh snow were registered:

• central and eastern sectors of the northern flank of the Alps, northern Grisons, Lower Engadine: 5 to 15 cm;
• remaining regions of Switzerland: it generally remained dry.

Temperature At midday at 2000 m, -6 °C in the northern regions and 0 °C in the southern regions. Wind Winds were blowing from westerly to northerly directions,

• in the western regions blowing predominantly at light strength;
• in the remaining regions of Switzerland blowing predominantly at moderate strength, intermittently at strong velocity.

Weather forecast through Friday, 03.02.2023 On Thursday night in the eastern regions, a small amount of snowfall is anticipated above 800 m. During the daytime hours on Friday, skies will frequently be overcast in the eastern regions. A few bright intervals are anticipated during the day. In the other regions of Switzerland it will be predominantly sunny. Fresh snow Between Thursday evening and Friday morning, a few centimetres of fresh snow is expected in the eastern regions, in the Silvretta approximately 10 cm of fresh snow. Temperature At midday at 2000 m, between -5 °C in the eastern regions, -2 °C in the western regions, and +2 °C in the southern regions. Wind Winds will be northerly to northwesterly,

• in the western regions blowing at light strength, at high altitudes blowing at moderate strength;
• in the remaining regions of Switzerland blowing at moderate to strong velocity.

Outlook through Sunday, 05.02.2023 Saturday In the northern regions snowfall is expected above approximately 1300 m, with the focal point in the central and eastern sectors of the northern flank of the Alps and in northern Grisons. Approximately 20 to 40 cm of fresh snow is anticipated in those areas. Further to the west and in central Grisons, only a small amount of snowfall is anticipated. In the Valais and on the southern flank of the Alps it will frequently be sunny. Winds from northerly directions will be blowing at moderate to strong velocity at high altitudes in the western regions, in the remaining regions of Switzerland at strong to storm strength. Avalanche danger levels are expected to further increase in the areas of precipitation in the northern and eastern regions. Conditions for winter sports enthusiasts outside of secured ski runs are critical from place to place. In the remaining regions of Switzerland, avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly. Sunday In the eastern regions a small amount of fresh snow is anticipated. The snowfall level will descend again down to low lying areas. In the western regions there will be some bright intervals. In the Valais and the southern regions it is expected to be quite sunny. Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly compared to the previous day.