Monthey-Val d'Illiez

As a consequence of wind a considerable avalanche danger will be encountered in some regions.

Snowpack

By the end of October there was a thin snow cover over widespread areas in the high alpine regions, on the glaciers as well as in north-facing gullies above approximately 2800 m. At that time there was already a thick snowpack at high alpine altitudes in the Bernina region. During the course of the last week there was a great amount of snowfall, most of which fell in the furthermost western regions. The snowfall level descended to below the treeline. Over the flat-surface areas where automated measurements are recorded at 2500 m in the Lower Valais, in the northern part of Upper Valais and in the southern part of Engadine there is 50 to 100 cm of snow on the ground, in the remaining regions of Switzerland 30 to 50 cm over widespread areas, less in some places in the central and eastern sectors of the northern flank of the Alps. The fresh fallen snow from Tuesday fell quite loosely packed and can be transported by winds on Thursday. However, outside of the Bernina regions, the amounts of fresh snow were small.

Weather forecast through Thursday, 09.11.2023

On Thursday morning it will still be sunny in the furthermost eastern regions, in the other regions of Switzerland skies will be overcast. At midday, precipitation is expected to set in from the west, spreading to the southern regions during the course of the afternoon.

Fresh snow

:The snowfall level on the northern flank of the Alps will lie at 1500 m, in the Valais and in the southern regions at 1200 m. By Thursday afternoon, the following amounts of fresh snow are anticipated:

• northern and furthermost western parts of the Lower Valais: 5 to 10 cm;
• in the remaining regions of Switzerland, only a few centimetres; in the northeastern regions it will remain dry.

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, -4 °C in the southern regions, 0 °C in the other regions of Switzerland.

Wind

• Winds will be blowing at moderate to strong velocity from southwesterly directions;
• iin the valleys of the north, strong velocity foehn wind will prevail during the morning hours, subsequently slackening off.

Observed weather review Wednesday, 08.11.2023

.On Tuesday evening a small amount of fresh snow was registered in many areas above 1100 to 1500 m. On Wednesday it was sunny in the mountains.

Fresh snow

An Tuesday evening, the following amounts of fresh snow were registered:

• from the eastern sector of the northern flank of the Alps well into the Engadine: 10 cm from area to area;
• in the other regions of Switzerland, less; in the southern Valais and in the Ticino it generally remained dry.

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, -1 °C in the northern regions and +2 °C in the southern regions.

Wind

• Winds were blowing at light to moderate strength from southwesterly directions;
• on the Main Alpine Ridge, winds during the nocturnal hours will be temporarily blowing at moderate strength from northwesterly directions.

Outlook through Saturday, 11.11.2023

Skies will be overcast accompanied by precipitation. By Saturday afternoon in the northern and furthermost western regions of the Lower Valais, as much as 60 cm of fresh snow is anticipated; north of an imaginary Rhine-Rhone line and in the Valais, as well as in the western part of the Jura regions, approximately 20 to 40 cm of fresh snow is expected; less in the other regions of Switzerland. The snowfall level will descend from 1200 down to 900 m. The westerly winds will be blowing at strong velocity in some regions on Friday, otherwise blowing at moderate strength. In the furthermost southern regions it will be quite sunny starting Friday morning, accompanied by northerly winds. Die Lawinengefahr steigt im Wallis und im Norden an, ganz im Westen deutlich. Avalanche danger levels are expected to increase in the Valais and in the northern regioins, significantly so in the western regions.