Bex-Villars

Wet avalanches as the day progresses. Backcountry tours should be concluded timely.

As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation numerous wet and gliding avalanches are to be expected. These can in some cases release the entire snowpack and reach very large size in isolated cases on north facing slopes. This applies in particular below approximately 3000 m. In the typical avalanche paths avalanches can reach areas without any snow cover. Backcountry tours and ascents to alpine cabins should be started early and concluded timely.

Snowpack Dry avalanches can still be released in particular on very steep north facing slopes in the high Alpine regions. The snowpack is thoroughly moist below approximately 2500 m on north facing slopes and up to more than 3000 m in the other aspects. In particular in both southern Valais and Grisons, as well as locally in the other regions, weak layers still exist deep in the old snowpack. On north facing slopes between approximately 2500 and 3000 m, these weak layers are now becoming wet for the first time and consequently being weakened. Under the influence of strong solar radiation and warming, natural avalanches are to be expected from the forenoon on. In particular on north facing slopes above approximately 2400 m, avalanches can release the entire snowpack in some cases and reach a large size. Observed weather review Thursday, 04.05.2023 After a largely clear night, it was mostly sunny. Fresh snow - Temperature At midday at 2000 m: between +10 °C in the north and +7 °C in the south Wind Mostly light Weather forecast through Friday, 05.05.2023 Thursday night will be mostly clear. In the inneralpine regions and the east and south it will be frequently sunny in the morning. Otherwise there will be increasing convective cloud and localised showers. The snowfall level will be approximately 2800 m. Fresh snow A few centimetres of snow may fall locally in showers above approximately 2800 m Temperature At midday at 2000 m: about +9 °C Wind Mostly light from westerly directions Outlook through Sunday, 07.05.2023 Saturday Friday night will be only partly clear and the outgoing longwave radiation will be reduced. During the day it will be quite sunny with convective cloud and scattered showers as the day progresses. The zero degree level will be approximately 3100 m. There will be a light westerly wind. Dry avalanches can still be released in particular on very steep north facing slopes in the high Alpine regions. Because of the reduced outgoing longwave radiation, the danger of wet snow avalanches will increase more quickly than on the preceding days. In particular on north facing slopes, large avalanches may occur. Backcountry touring and ascents to refuges are to be concluded early. Sunday Saturday night will be cloudy. During the day in the Alps there will be isolated bright spells. Otherwise it will be mostly cloudy with showers and thunderstorms. The snowfall level will be approximately 2700 m. The wind will be light from westerly directions. In view of the poor outgoing longwave radiation and mild temperatures, the danger of wet snow avalanches will already be elevated in the early morning. It may increase further in response to solar radiation or heavy rain showers as the day progresses.