Bex-Villars

Wind slabs and weakly bonded old snow require caution.

As a consequence of a sometimes strong northwesterly wind, mostly small wind slabs formed. These are to be evaluated with care and prudence in particular in very steep terrain. Careful route selection is recommended.

Snowpack A little fresh snow in the central and eastern parts of the northern flank of the Alps and a strong to storm force northwesterly wind have given rise to snow drift accumulations over a wide area. The drifting snow has been deposited on the old snow surface, which is faceted in many places, or on surface hoar, and is therefore prone to triggering. In many cases the accumulations are hard and recognisable to the trained eye. Where the wind has exerted an influence adjacent to ridgelines and in pass areas, the fresh snow drift accumulations are less prone to triggering. From southern Valais through the Gotthard region to Grisons, numerous soft faceted layers exist in the snowpack between compacted layers and crusts. These faceted layers are especially prevalent in places with shallow snow cover, where the snowpack can be penetrated down to the ground by skis. On the northern flank of the Alps the base of the snowpack is well bonded in many instances, but multiple faceted layers exist nearer the surface. The bonding of the snowpack is most favourable in the extreme west of Lower Valais and in northern Lower Valais. Observed weather review Tuesday, 31.01.2023 On Monday night a little snow fell in the northeast. The north and east were sunny for a time once the residual cloud dispersed, before becoming increasingly cloudy again in the afternoon. The south was mostly sunny. Fresh snow In the period from Monday evening until Tuesday morning, approximately 5 to 10 cm of snow fell, locally as much as 15 cm, in the central and eastern parts of the northern flank of the Alps and in northern Grisons and northern Lower Engadine. Temperature At midday at 2000 m: about -4 °C in the north and +1 °C in the south Wind During the night

• Moderate, sometimes strong, from westerly directions
• At elevated altitudes and in the south, strong to storm force from northerly directions

During the day

• Light to moderate from westerly directions
• At elevated altitudes, moderate, on the main Alpine ridge and in the east, sometimes strong, from the northwest

Weather forecast through Wednesday, 01.02.2023 On Wednesday the weather will be changeable. In the northeast a few centimetres of snow will fall above 600 m during the night and in the daytime. As the day progresses, cloud will build up from the north; sunny weather will persist longer in the inneralpine regions and the south. Fresh snow - Temperature At midday at 2000 m: about -7 °C in the north and -2 °C in the south Wind

• Moderate to strong from westerly directions
• At elevated altitudes and in the south, strong from the northwest

Outlook through Friday, 03.02.2023 Thursday On Wednesday night, snowfall will arrive from the northwest. During the day, snow will fall over a wide area and in some cases persistently. The snowfall level will be approximately 700 m. By the evening, 20 to 30 cm of snow will fall in the central and eastern parts of the northern flank of the Alps and in northern Grisons. Elsewhere 5 to 15 cm of snow will fall over a wide area, but it will remain dry in the far south. A strong, sometimes storm force northwesterly wind will persist. As a consequence of fresh snow, wind and the unfavourable old snow surfaces, the avalanche danger will increase significantly in the north as the day progresses. In the south it will not change significantly. Friday It will be very cloudy and, in the period to Friday morning, snow will continue to fall over a wide area in the north. The snowfall level will rise from 700 m towards 1000 m. As the day progresses, the snowfall will ease from the west. By the evening a further 10 to 20 cm of snow will fall in the central and eastern parts of the northern flank of the Alps and in northern Grisons. The wind will ease a little, but at elevated altitudes and in the south will remain strong from the northwest. As a consequence of fresh snow and wind, the avalanche danger will continue to increase in central and eastern parts of the northern flank of the Alps and in parts of Grisons. In the other regions it will not change significantly.