Waadtländer Voralpen

Snowpack

The surface of the snowpack is characterised by warmth and sunshine on north-facing slopes up to around 2000 m and on south-facing slopes up to around 2600 m. There are faceted surfaces in places at high altitude in very shaded areas that are protected from the wind. Here in particular, the new snow is deposited on a rather unfavourable old snow surface.

Crusts surrounded by faceted, often thin layers are widely embedded in the near-surface layers of the old snowpack. Avalanches may still be triggered in places in these layers. This is especially true on shady slopes at a distance from ridgelines and protected from the wind.

Gliding avalanches are still possible, primarily on east-, south- and west-facing slopes below approximately 2600 m and more rarely on north-facing slopes below approximately 2200 m. These avalanches may be large in some cases in regions with a lot of snow.

Weather forecast until Monday, 19.02.2024

Precipitation will set in in the north during Sunday night into Monday. This will last until midday on Monday. In the afternoon, it will be mostly dry and there will be clear spells in the west, especially in Valais. It will mostly be sunny south of the Main Alpine Ridge.

New snow

The snowfall level will drop from 1700 to 1300 m. From Sunday evening to Monday afternoon, the following amounts of fresh snow are expected above 1700 m:

• northern flank of the Alps from the eastern Bernese Oberland to the Alpstein region, northern Grisons, Silvretta: 15 to 30 cm;
• on the remaining Northern Alpine Ridge and in the other parts of Grisons: widespread 5 to 10 cm;
• otherwise less, dry on the southern flank of the Alps.

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, between -2 °C in the north and 0 °C on the southern flank of the Alps.

Wind

There will be a northwesterly wind.

• There will be moderate winds in the west.
• Elsewhere, the winds will be moderate to strong.
• There will be a moderate to strong foehn wind from the north on the southern flank of the Alps.

Weather review for Sunday, 18.02.2024

After a mostly clear Saturday night into Sunday, high clouds moved in from the northwest, intensifying as the day progressed.

New snow

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Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, about +5 °C.

Wind

There was a westerly wind, rising to a moderate wind as the day progressed.

TrendTuesday, 20.02.2024

Snow will fall again in the north during Monday night into Tuesday and until midday on Tuesday. On the northern flank of the Alps from the Bernese Oberland to the Alpstein region, 15 to 30 cm of snow is expected, with less anticipated elsewhere. It will be mostly dry on the southern flank of the Alps. As the day progresses, it will become increasingly sunny from the west and will be mostly sunny in the south. The wind will turn to the north and will ease.

In regions with new snow, the danger of dry avalanches will continue to rise, especially in those areas with the most fresh snow. Gliding avalanches are still possible in isolated cases.

Wednesday, 21.02.2024

After a partly clear Tuesday night into Wednesday, it will initially be rather sunny. As the day progresses, cloud cover will increase from the west. Especially in the north, it will become appreciably warmer again with increasing southwesterly winds. The danger of dry avalanches will decrease. Gliding avalanches will still be possible in isolated cases.