Bex-Villars

In the west a considerable avalanche danger will be encountered over a wide area.

Snowpack

By the end of October over widespread areas in the high alpine regions, on the glaciers, as well as in north-facing gullies above approximately 2800 m, there was a thin snowpack. In the Bernina region the snow cover was already thick at high alpine altitudes. During the course of the last week there were large amounts of snowfall registered, most of which fell in the western regions. The snowfall level descended to below the treeline. Across the flat-surface fields in the Lower Valais and in the northern part of Upper Valais where automated measurements are registered, there is 50 to 100 cm of snow on the ground at 2500 m, in the remaining regions of Switzerland 30 to 50 cm over widespread areas, less in some places of the central and eastern sectors of the northern flank of the Alps. The snowpack shows marked effects of wind impact. As a consequence of frequently storm-strength southwesterly winds on the weekend, snowdrift accumulations were generated, including distant from ridgeline terrain. Summits and crests, on the other hand, are frequently windblown and free of snow entirely.

Weather forecast through Tuesday, 07.11.2023

From the Chablais to well into the Bernese Oberland, skies are expected to be predominantly overcast; in the other regions of Switzerland it will be partly sunny. In isolated cases, a bit of light snowfall is possible above 1400 m.

Fresh snow

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Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, -2 °C.

Wind

Winds will be blowing at light to moderate strength from southwesterly directions.

Observed weather review Monday, 06.11.2023

There was a small amount of snowfall above approximately 1600 m during the nocturnal hours in particular. During the daytime hours it was quite sunny prior to new clouds moving in from the west.

Fresh snow

Between Sunday afternoon and Monday afternoon the following amounts of fresh snow were registered above 2000 m:

• Lower Valais, northern Alpine Ridge west of the Reuss: 5 to 10 cm, as much as 15 cm along the French border;
• in the remaining regions of Switzerland, less; or else it remained dry.

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, 0 °C, in the southeastern regions +2 °C.

Wind

Winds during the night were blowing at strong velocity in isolated cases, otherwise blowing at light to moderate strength, from southwesterly directions.

Outlook through Thursday, 09.11.2023

On Wednesday it will be sunny, on Thursday skies will be heavily overcast. On Thursday during the course of the day, precipitation is expected to set in from the west, falling as snow above 1600 m.The southwesterly wind will intensify significantly, and foehn wind is possible in the northern regions in the eastern valleys. The danger of dry-snow avalanches will decrease in all regions on Wednesday. On Thursday during the course of the day, danger levels could increase again slightly in the western regions. Small and medium-sized gliding avalanches continue to be anticipated.