Saas Fee

Snowpack

There is appreciably less snow than usual at this time of year in most regions and snow conditions for ski touring are very poor in many places, especially below 2000 m and generally in the east.

Snowpack structure is variable from region to region:

• On the Main Alpine Ridge in Valais and on the central southern flank of the Alps, last week’s fresh and drifted snow has been deposited on a thin but weak old snowpack of faceted crystals. A few avalanches, some large, have been triggered by human activity over the last few days. Isolated avalanches may still be triggered in the old snowpack in these regions. Sunday’s northeasterly winds have produced snowdrift accumulations, some prone to triggering, especially adjacent to ridgelines.
• In central Valais, northern Upper Valais and throughout Grisons, weak layers of faceted crystals or surface hoar are present in the snowpack on shady slopes above approximately 2400 m. Although some of these weak layers have proven triggerable in stability tests, very few avalanches have actually been triggered. Small avalanches are possible where the last few days’ snowdrift accumulations are lying on the weak snowpack. On wind-protected shady slopes, the surface of the snowpack is faceted and loose.
• Snowpack structure is more favourable in the westernmost and northern parts of Lower Valais and on the northern flank of the Alps. Small snowdrift accumulations have formed locally. Below 2400 m, the snowpack has mostly frozen solid.

Weather forecast to Monday

After a clear night, conditions will be sunny and mild in the mountains.

Fresh snow

-

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, around +4°C

Wind

Light to moderate from westerly directions

Weather review for Sunday

After a clear night, conditions were sunny and very mild in the mountains.

Fresh snow

-

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m around +6°C in the north and east and around +8°C in the south.

Wind

Moderate northeasterly to easterly, easing somewhat over the course of the day.

OutlookTuesday

Conditions will be sunny in the mountains. The upper limit for low stratus cloud will rise to between 1400 and 1700 m in the north. The zero-degree level will drop to around 1800 m in the west and south and towards 1000 m in the north and east. The northerly wind will freshen, becoming moderate to strong. Moderate Bise wind in the Prealps. Freshly drifted snow will somewhat increase avalanche risk, especially on the Main Alpine Ridge in Upper Valais and in Ticino.

Wednesday

Conditions will be sunny in the mountains. The Bise wind and foehn wind from the north will ease. There will be a moderate northerly wind at high altitudes. There will be hardly any change in avalanche risk.