nördliches Prättigau

Snowpack

There is appreciably less snow than usual at this time of year in most regions and snow conditions for ski touring are very poor in many places, especially below 2000 m and generally in the east.

The snowpack structure varies from region to region:

• On the Main Alpine Ridge in Valais and on the central southern flank of the Alps, fresh and drifted snow has been deposited on a thin but weak old snowpack of faceted crystals, and avalanches may be triggered in the old snowpack in these regions.
• In the inneralpine regions of Valais, in northern Valais and throughout Grisons, there are weak layers of faceted crystals or surface hoar in the snowpack on shady slopes above approximately 2400 m. Although these weak layers have proven triggerable in stability tests, it is very rare for avalanches actually to be triggered. Where fresh and somewhat older snowdrift accumulations are lying on the weak snowpack, small avalanches are possible. On wind-protected shady slopes, the surface of the snowpack is faceted and loose.
• The snowpack structure is more favourable in western and northern Lower Valais and on the northern flank of the Alps. Below 2400 m, the snowpack has mostly frozen solid.

Weather forecast to Saturday

After a clear night, conditions will be sunny in the mountains during the day.

Fresh snow

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Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, around +4°C

Wind

Overnight to Saturday in the high Alpine regions and in the Alpine valleys in the north, moderate, sometimes strong south to southeasterly, elsewhere light to moderate

Weather review for Friday

Some snow continued to fall in the south during the night. The snowfall level was around 1000 m. During the day conditions were sunny in the mountains.

Fresh snow

In total, the following amounts fell above 1400 m between Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning:

• Main Alpine Ridge in Valais from Monte Rosa to the Nufenen Pass, Val Bedretto, Valle Maggia: 30 to 40 cm, in the Simplon region up to 50 cm
• remaining part of the Main Alpine Ridge in Valais directly along the border with Italy, remaining central part of the southern flank of the Alps: 10 to 20 cm
• Aletsch region, Main Alpine Ridge from the Nufenen pass to Upper Engadine: 5 to 10 cm
• elsewhere a few centimetres or dry

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, between +3°C in the north and -1°C in the south

Wind

During the night to Friday in the high Alpine regions and in the Alpine valleys in the north, moderate to strong, otherwise light to moderate south to southeasterly

Outlook to Monday

Conditions will be sunny in the mountains. The zero-degree level will rise to 3200 m on Sunday and will be at 2600 m on Monday. Winds will be mostly light.

Avalanche danger will continue to decrease in areas with fresh snow, otherwise it will remain largely unchanged.