Monthey-Val d'Illiez

Snowpack

On the northern flank of the Alps and in western and northern Lower Valais, the surface of the snowpack on wind-protected shady slopes was often faceted and loose, especially at high altitudes. Here, it was a weak base for the fresh and drifted snow. Elsewhere, the surface of the snowpack has often been shaped by the wind and was often frozen solid, especially on the northern flank of the Alps below 2400 m.

In the other regions, the thin old snowpack mostly consists of faceted crystals with embedded crusts. Where drifted snow is lying on this weak old snowpack, it can be easily triggered in places. In addition, individual avalanches may still be triggered in the old snowpack, especially on the Main Alpine Ridge in Valais and on the central part of the southern flank of the Alps.

Weather forecast to Sunday

During the night to Sunday it will be partly cloudy in the east and a little snow will fall on the eastern part of the northern flank of the Alps. During the day it will be sunny everywhere.

Fresh snow

-

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, around -9 °C

Wind

From the northwest

• Still moderate during the night, especially in the Bernese Oberland and along the Main Alpine Ridge
• Otherwise light

Weather review for Saturday

During the night to Saturday, some snow fell on the northern flank of the Alps, in the Gotthard region and in northern Grisons. During the day, it was mostly sunny in Valais, on the southern flank of the Alps and in Grisons, but still mostly cloudy on the northern flank of the Alps.

Fresh snow

Snow fell down to low altitudes. Snowfall at altitude:

• Glarus Alps to Alpstein region: 20 to 40 cm
• Central and remaining eastern parts of the northern flank of the Alps: 10 to 20 cm
• Rest of the northern flank of the Alps, Gotthard region, northern Grisons: 5 to 10 cm
• Elsewhere less or dry

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, between -10 °C in the north and -6 °C in the south

Wind

Westerly winds, during the night often strong on the northern flank of the Alps and in Valais, otherwise mostly moderate

Outlook until Tuesday

On Monday and Tuesday it will be mostly sunny but cold in the mountains. The northerly wind will be mostly light on Monday, and often moderate on Tuesday along the Main Alpine Ridge.

The unfavourable snowpack structure means that avalanche risk will decrease only very slowly.