Waadtländer Voralpen

Snowpack

North of a line from the Rhône to the Rhine and in the extreme west of Lower Valais, 2 to 3.5 m of snow have fallen over the last two weeks. As a result, weak layers in the old snowpack are thickly covered and can only be triggered by human activity in some places. However, avalanches may become very large.

South of the line from the Rhône to the Rhine, the persistent weak layers are still pronounced. Although there is not quite as much snow here, avalanches can still become large or even very large. In Grisons, avalanche-prone locations are still common, even around the treeline. Whumpfing sounds and remote triggering are typical. In southern Valais, the significant weak layers in the lower part of the snowpack are mostly rather more thickly covered. Avalanche-prone locations where avalanches can be triggered in the weak old snowpack are therefore somewhat less frequent and mainly located in areas with little snow.

With the mild temperatures, medium to large gliding avalanches are to be expected on steep grassy slopes below approximately 2000 m.

Weather forecast to Tuesday

It will be sunny in the west and south. There will be precipitation in the east, falling as snow above approximately 1900 m.

Fresh snow

From Monday until the precipitation ends:

• Prättigau, Silvretta and Samnaun: 10 to 20 cm
• Central and eastern part of the northern flank of the Alps, other regions of northern Grisons and the Lower Engadine: up to 10 cm

However, these precipitation amounts are still unconfirmed.

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, between a mild +5 °C in the southwest and +1 °C in the northeast

Wind

In the north, moderate to strong westerly winds continue during the night, light winds during the day

On the Main Alpine Ridge and south of it, sometimes stormy during the night at high altitudes, otherwise moderate to strong from the northwest

Weather review for Monday

In the north, there were small amounts of precipitation during the night, falling as snow above approximately 1600 m. It was very cloudy during the day, but mainly dry. It was partly sunny in the inneralpine regions and beautiful in the south.

Fresh snow

During the night into Monday:

• Along the central and eastern Prealps: about 10 cm
• less elsewhere, dry in the south

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, between +2°C in the north and a mild +5°C in the south

Wind

Moderate to strong from the west to northwest

Outlook to Thursday

Clear nights will be followed by sunny days. With a zero-degree level of 3100 m on Wednesday and 2700 m on Thursday, it will be extremely mild. The winds will be light at first, then moderate from westerly directions as the day progresses on Thursday.

The danger of dry avalanches will decrease, but only very slowly in southern Valais, Ticino and Grisons due to the pronounced weak layers. Gliding avalanches are still to be expected, including large avalanches in the west and north.