untere Maggiatäler

Increase in avalanche danger in the west and in the north. In the west a high avalanche danger will be encountered in some regions.

Snowpack

Valais and northern flank of the Alps: as a consequence of persistent snowfall, the critical amount of fresh fallen snow is increasingly being exceeded at high altitudes. In the western and the northern parts of the Lower Valais, more than anywhere else, it is possible that avalanche triggerings sweep along old snow and subsequently grow to large size. As a result of the lesser amounts of snow on the ground in the central and eastern sectors of the northern flank of the Alps, this is not to be expected there. As the snowfall level ascends, increasingly frequent naturally triggered avalanches can be expected. Ticino, Grisons: in these regions, the increased frequency of avalanche prone locations at high altitudes is striking. As a consequence of the greater amounts of snowfall and, particularly at high altitudes, persistent snow transport, there are significantly higher numbers of avalanche prone locations above approximately 2500 m than exist below this altitude.

Weather forecast through Sunday, 12.11.2023

Skies are expected to be heavily overcast for the most part. Following an interim without precipitation, snowfall will again set in from the west during the latter part of the night, snowfall will subsequently intensify during the course of the morning. The snowfall level will ascend to nearly 1800 m during the morning hours, approaching from the west.

Fresh snow

Between Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon, the following amounts of fresh snow are anticipated above approximately 2200 m:

• furthermost western part of the Lower Valais as well as the northern Alpine Ridge from the Chablais as far as Grimsel Pass: 30 to 40 cm;
• remaining parts of the Valais, remaining parts of the northern Alpine Ridge, Gotthard region, Prättigau: 15 to 30 cm;
• in the remaining regions of Switzerland, as much as 10 cm, also less in the furthermost southern regions.

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, between +1 °C in the northwestern regions and -3 °C in the southeastern regions.

Wind

• Winds in the Valais and in the northern flank of the Alps will be blowing at strong to storm strength from westerly to northwesterly directions;
• in Grisons and Ticino, winds will be blowing at moderate to strong velocity from northwesterly directions.

Observed weather review Saturday, 11.11.2023

In the western and the northern regions, skies were predominantly overcast and there was intermittent snowfall registered. In the other regions of Switzerland, skies were overcast in some areas accompanied by some snow showers; in the southern regions it was predominantly sunny and it remained dry. The snowfall level lay at approximately 1000 m.

Fresh snow

During the last two days since Thursday afternoon, the following amounts of fresh snow were registered:

• northern Alpine Ridge from the Chablais into the Lötschental as well as furthermost western part of the Lower Valais: 30 to 60 cm;
• remaining parts of the northern flank of the Alps, remaining parts of the Valais: 15 to 30 cm;
• Grisons, Ticino: 5 to 10 cm; also lesser amounts in central Grisons and Engadine.

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, -4 °C in the northern regions and 0 °C in the southern regions.

Wind

• Winds in the Valais and on the northern flank of the Alps were blowing at moderate to strong velocity from westerly to northwesterly directions;
• in Grisons and Ticino winds were blowing predominantly at light to moderate strength from northwesterly directions.

Outlook through Tuesday, 14.11.2023

In the Valais and on the northern flank of the Alps, skies are expected to be heavily overcast for the most part, and precipitation is anticipated. The snowfall level will continue to ascend in altitude. In the western and the northern regions, the snowfall level will lie at 2400 to 2800 m, in the southeastern regions at 2200 to 2400 m. At elevated altitudes, 30 to 50 cm of fresh fallen snow is expected, as much as 80 cm is possible from region to region. Avalanche danger levels are expected to increase and danger level 4 (high) could also be reached on the northern Alpine Ridge, as well as in the furthermost western regions. Below 2500 m, wet-snow avalanches can be expected. In central Grisons and in the Engadine, skies are expected to be partly overcast and approximately 10 to 20 cm of fresh fallen snow is anticipated at heightened altitudes. The major danger continues to stem from snowdrift accumulations at elevated altitudes. In the Ticino and the southern valleys of Grisons, it is expected to be predominantly sunny. Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.