Iffigen

Snowpack

The large amounts of new snow in the last few days lie on north-facing slopes above 2800 m and generally in the high Alpine regions, partly on a faceted old snowpack. Below approximately 2800 m, the snow fell on bare ground; faceted weak layers are unlikely.

The loose snow near the surface was transported by the southerly wind on Wednesday. During the night to Thursday, further snowdrift accumulations will form with new fallen snow in the far west and on the Main Alpine Ridge, and in general due to the southwesterly wind. The fresh and older snowdrift accumulations are prone to triggering.

With the rain below 2400 m and the rising temperatures during the day, wet and gliding avalanches are to be expected, possibly medium-sized in regions with much snow.

Weather forecast to Thursday

During the night to Thursday, widespread precipitation will fall in the west and south, falling as snow above 2200 to 2400 m. During the day it will become increasingly sunny in the north, and brighter in the south.

Fresh snow

From Wednesday evening to Thursday morning, above approximately 2600 m:

• extreme west and northern Lower Valais: 30 to 40 cm
• the rest of the Main Alpine Ridge and south of it, as well as northern Upper Valais: 15 to 30 cm
• Otherwise a few centimetres over a wide area

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, around +5 °C

Wind

• During the night to Thursday, moderate to strong southwesterly winds on the Alpine ridges, strong foehn wind in the Alpine valleys in the north
• Weak to moderate from the southwest during the day

Weather review for Wednesday

It was quite sunny in the north. In the afternoon, high clouds gathered from the west. It was cloudy in the south and there was little precipitation in the afternoon.

Fresh snow

-

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, around +6 °C in the north and +1 °C in the south

Wind

• During the night to Wednesday, weak to moderate from the southwest
• As the day progresses, moderate to strong from the south on the Alpine ridges, moderate to strong foehn wind in the Alpine valleys in the north

Outlook

In the north it will be mostly sunny on Friday and quite sunny on Saturday. In the south, it will be partly cloudy on Friday and mostly cloudy on Saturday with occasional light precipitation. It will remain mild. The zero-degree level will be between 3400 and 3800 m. The wind will be mostly light to moderate from the southwest.

The risk of dry avalanches will decrease. Wet and gliding avalanches will still be possible.