Waadtländer Voralpen

Considerable avalanche danger will be encountered over a wide area.

As a consequence of a strong westerly wind, wind slabs formed in the last few days. These are in some cases still prone to triggering. Mostly avalanches are small. The wind slabs will be covered with new snow and therefore barely recognisable. Careful route selection is recommended.

Snowpack On west-facing, north-facing and east-facing slopes above approximately 2200 m more than anywhere else, there continue to be weak layers evident embedded deep inside the old snowpack. In the western and the northern regions these layers are significantly more thickly blanketed over by fresher snow than in Grisons. There, fractures in the weakened old snow cover layers are much more easily triggered by persons for that reason. As a consequence of intermittently strong-velocity westerly winds, large-sized snowdrift accumulations were generated in some places where recent snowfall has been heaviest in the western regions at elevated altitudes. Higher temperatures and rainfall have accelerated the process of the snow cover becoming thoroughly wet over the course of the last week. North-facing slopes were moist-to-wet for the first time up to between 2000 and 2500 m; east-facing slopes to between 2500 and 2800 m; south-facing and mostly also west-facing slopes were thoroughly wet up to still higher altitudes. As a consequence of the descending temperatures the danger of wet-snow avalanches has significantly receded. In the fresh fallen snow and freshly generated snowdrifts, avalanches which fracture near to the surface can still sweep away the moistened layers. Observed weather review Saturday, 01.04.2023 In the northern regions and the Valais, skies were heavily overcast, accompanied by shower-like precipitation; on the southern flank of the Alps and in the Upper Engadine it was rather sunny. Fresh snow The snowfall level lay at 1200 to 1400 m. The following amounts of fresh snow have been registered since Friday afternoon:

• Valais not including the southern valleys of Visp and not including the southern Simplon region: 20 to 40 cm; as much as 50 cm from place to place;
• remaining parts of the northern flank of the Alps, southern valleys of Visp and southern Simplon region, remaining parts of Gotthard region, Prättigau: 10 to 20 cm;
• in the other regions of Switzerland, 10 c or less.

Thus, during the last two days the following overall amounts of fresh snow have been registered above 2500 m:

• Valais not including the southern valleys of Visp and not including the southern Simplon region, Val Bedretto: 40 to 60 cm;
• remaining parts of the northern Alpine Ridge into the St. Gallen Alps, southern valleys of Visp and southern Simplon region: 20 to 40 cm;
• remaining parts of the northern flank of the Alps, remaining parts of northern Ticino, northern Grisons, Lower Engadine: 10 to 20 cm;
• in the other regions of Switzerland, less.

Temperature At midday at 2000 m, between -4 °C in the northern regions and -1 °C in the southern regions. Wind Winds were westerly,

• on the northern flank of the Alps blowing at moderate to strong velocity;
• in the Valais, in the Ticino and in Grisons blowing predominantly at light to moderate velocity.

Weather forecast through Sunday, 02.04.2023 In the northern regions, skies will be heavily overcast by and large and a small amount of snowfall is anticipated. South of the Main Alpine Ridge it will be partly sunny. Fresh snow The snowfall level will lies at approximately 1200 m. The following amounts of fresh snow are expected:

• furthermost western part of the Lower Valais: 10 to 20 cm;
• remaining parts of the Lower Valais, western and central sectors of the northern flank of the Alps: 5 to 15 cm;
• in the other regions of Switzerland less, on the southern flank of the Alps it is expected to remain dry.

Temperature At midday at 2000 m, between -3 °C in the northern regions and 0 °C in the southern regions. Wind Winds will shift from northwesterly to northeasterly,

• blowing at light to moderate strength, particularly in the mountains.

Outlook through Tuesday, 04.04.2023 Monday On the northern flank of the Alps, residual clouds will still persist in the morning hours, accompanied by final showers. Subsequently it will become increasingly sunny. In the Valais and in the southern regions it will be sunny already in the morning. The northeasterly winds will intensify during the course of the day and by blowing at moderate to strong velocity during the afternoon. In the northern regions, temperatures are expected to descend. The avalanche danger levels will decrease at high altitudes more than anywhere else, but only incrementally. Tuesday It is expected to be sunny, accompanied by high-altitude cloudbanks. As a consequence of moderate to strong-velocity bise wind, it will be wintery cold. Avalanche danger levels will continue to decrease, but only incrementally at heightened altitudes.