Wind slab
- All elevations
Considerable avalanche danger will be encountered over a wide area.
The fresh and somewhat older wind slabs are in some cases prone to triggering. Avalanches can be released by people and reach medium size. Careful route selection is recommended.
Snowpack At low and intermediate altitudes the snow cover on flat terrain is well below average for this time of year. At altitudes above 2500 m the snow depths are mostly slightly below average; in Valais they are average over a wide area. At 2500 m, approximately 1 m of snow is lying in northern Valais, Bedretto and the Upper Valle Maggia, and 50 to 80 cm are to be found over a wide area elsewhere; in central Grisons and Engadine 30 to 50 cm are to be found. At altitudes below approximately 2500 m the snowpack has been influenced by warm temperatures and rain; at higher altitudes and in particular in the high alpine regions it has been significantly influenced by the wind from westerly directions. In particular in Valais, the Gotthard region, Ticino and Grisons, above 2200 to 2400 m the deeper snow layers are faceted and soft. They are covered by well bonded layers of various thickness. In particular in the inneralpine regions of both Valais and Grisons, avalanches can be triggered by people in these soft old layers of snow. Especially at elevated altitudes, both a little older and fresh snow drift accumulations can be released as avalanches in some places. Observed weather review Tuesday, 27.12.2022 On Monday night, snow fell on the main Alpine ridge and to the north. In the morning the precipitation ceased in the northeast, whereas in the west and south it was already mostly sunny. In the afternoon the skies cleared in the east as well. Fresh snow The snowfall level dropped from approximately 2000 m towards 1200 m. From Monday evening until Tuesday midday the following amounts of snow fell:
Temperature At midday at 2000 m: between -4 °C in the north and +2 °C in the south Wind From westerly directions
Weather forecast through Wednesday, 28.12.2022 After a sometimes clear Tuesday night, it will be quite sunny during the day. Fresh snow - Temperature At midday at 2000 m: between 0 °C in the north and -3 °C in the south Wind From the west to southwest
Outlook through Friday, 30.12.2022 Thursday During Wednesday night the skies will become overcast from the northwest, but in the east there will still be bright spells in the morning. The south will be partly sunny. A little precipitation will fall in the west and north. With a persistently strong westerly wind it will remain mild. The avalanche danger will not change significantly. Friday On Thursday night a little precipitation will arrive from the northwest and fall over a wide area. During the day there will be brief bright spells in particular in the inneralpine regions. In the afternoon precipitation will recommence in the west. With a persistently strong westerly wind it will remain mild. The avalanche danger may increase a little in the west and north on Thursday night, but it will not change significantly elsewhere.
Bulletin data: WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF (CC BY 4.0)