Hohgant

At elevated altitudes a considerable avalanche danger will be encountered in some regions.

As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation moist snow slides and avalanches are to be expected as the day progresses. Backcountry tours should be concluded timely.

Snowpack For longer than a week there has been fresh snowfall registered every day at heightened altitudes, so that in the high alpine regions a measurable amount of fresh snow has accumulated in the interim. Frequently the snowfall was accompanied by strong-velocity winds, thus, large-sized snowdrift accumulations have been generated. In spite of low temperatures, moist-snow avalanches still can be expected to trigger from the fresh fallen snow in case of solar radiation, particularly in the major areas of precipitation in the northern regions. Beneath the fresh snow of the last few days, the old snow cover on north-facing slopes below approximately 2700 m, in the other aspects up to over 3000 m, is thoroughly wet. In Grisions more than anywhere else, but also in some parts of the southern Valais and in isolated cases also in the other regions of Switzerland, there are still weakened layers evident deeply embedded inside the snow cover. Avalanches which trigger in the fresh fallen snow and freshly generated snowdrift accumulations can sometimes fracture down to these layers. Observed weather review Wednesday, 17.05.2023 During the nocturnal hours there was precipitation registered over far-reaching areas, some of which on the northern flank of the Alps was intensive. The snowfall level descended from 2000 m down to approximately 1400 m. During the daytime hours it was partly sunny in the Valais and in the southern regions, in the remaining regions of Switzerland skies were heavily overcast, but for the most part it remained dry. Fresh snow Between Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday afternoon the following amounts of fresh snow were registered above approximately 2400 m:

• northern flank of the Alps from the Brienzer Rothorn as far as Liechtenstein: 10 to 30 cm, as much as 50 cm further towards the Prealps.
• remaining parts of the Bernese Oberland: 10 to 20 cm;
• in the other regions of Switzerland, less than 10 cm; in the southern regions it remained dry.

Thus, on the northern flank of the Alps from the Brünig Pass as far as Liechtenstein the following overall amounts of fresh snow were registered above approximately 2600 m during the course of the last 3 days: approximately 40 to 70 cm. Temperature The zero-degree level at midday lay between 1600 m in the eastern Prealps and 2400 m in the southern regions. Wind Winds during the nighttime hours were frequently blowing at strong velocity, during the daytime hours at moderate strength, from northerly to northeasterly directions. Weather forecast through Thursday, 18.05.2023 Following a night of predominantly overcast skies it will be mostly sunny in the eastern sector of the northern flank of the Alps and in Grisons during the morning hours on the holiday, in the other regions of Switzerland skies will be overcast accompanied by brief bright intervals. In the afternoon skies will be overcast in all regions of Switzerland. In the southern regions more than anywhere else, a small amount of snowfall is anticipated above approximately 2300 m. Fresh snow In the Upper Valais part of the Main Alpine Ridge above 2600 m, approximately 5 to 10 cm of fresh snow is anticipated, in the other regions of Switzerland, less. Temperature The zero-degree level at midday will lie at 2600 m. Wind Winds will be blowing at light strength. Outlook through Saturday, 20.05.2023 Friday In the eastern regions, a few bright intervals are expected, in the other regions skies will be heavily overcast. In showers, a small amount of snowfall is anticipated above 2300 m. The southeasterly winds will be blowing at light to moderate velocity. The danger of dry-snow avalanches is expected to decrease over far-reaching areas. In the high alpine regions more than anywhere else, winter sports enthusiasts can still, ongoingly, trigger avalanches. For that reason, a prudent route selection is important. Saturday In the Valais sector of the Main Alpine Ridge and in the southern regions, skies will be heavily overcast, accompanied by a small amount of fresh snowfall above 2300 to 2600 m. In the Upper Valais sector of the Main Alpine Ridge from Zermatt as far as Simplon, presumably 20 to 40 cm of fresh snowfall can be expected, significantly more than elsewhere, so that the danger of dry-snow avalanches will increase in the high alpine regions. In the remaining regions of Switzerland, more extended bright intervals are anticipated, but a great deal of convective cloud build-up is also expected, together with local showers. The zero-degrere level will ascend to 3000 m. The danger of dry-snow avalanches is not expected to change significantly. Due to higher daytime temperatures and solar radiation, moist-snow avalanches can be expected in all aspects. Backcountry tours and ascents to mountain refuges should be brought to an end early in the day.

The fresh snow of the last few days and local wind slabs are in some cases still prone to triggering. Winter sport participants can release avalanches in some places, including medium-sized ones. Careful route selection is advisable.

The Avalanche Warning Service currently has only a small amount of information that has been collected in the field, so that the avalanche danger should be investigated especially thoroughly in the relevant locality.