nördliches Prättigau

Considerable avalanche danger will be encountered over a wide area.

The new snow and wind slabs are in some cases still prone to triggering. Avalanches can be released easily. In some places avalanches can penetrate near-ground layers of the snowpack reach large size. These avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular on west, north and east facing slopes, especially in areas where the snow cover is rather shallow. Backcountry touring calls for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger.

As a consequence of solar radiation moist small and medium sized avalanches are possible.

Snowpack The immense amount of fresh fallen snow and freshly generated snowdrift accumulations are stabilising to an increasing degree, nonetheless they are still prone to triggering. Furthermore, in the uppermost sections of the old snow cover in the zone of melt-freeze crusts there are expansively metamorphosed (faceted) and weakened layers evident in some places. On west-facing, north-facing and east-facing slopes above approximately 2200 m more than anywhere else, there are weakened layers also evident in the lowermost part of the snowpack. In Grisons and in the southern part of the Valais more than anywhere else, these layers are blanketed over by only shallow fresher snow in some places and there, are prone to triggering to some extent. In the western part of the Lower Valais and on the northern flank of the Alps, the more deeply embedded layers inside the snow cover are frequently blanketed by thick layers and for that reason are currently unlikely to trigger. Observed weather review Friday, 14.04.2023 In the Valais and in the southern regions, nighttime skies were partly clear and during the daytime it was partly sunny. In the northern and the eastern regions there was intensive precipitation registered during the nocturnal hours. During the daytime the precipiation came to an end, and during the afternoon it became increasingly sunny. The snowfall level lay at approximately 1000 m. Fresh snow Between Thursday afternoon and Friday afternoon the following amounts of fresh snow were registered above 1500 m:

• northern Alpine Ridge from the Grimsel into the Glarus Alps, Prättigau: 20 to 40 cm, as much as 50 cm from place to place;
• remaining parts of the northern Alpine Ridge, remaining parts of northern Grisons, Engadine north of the Inn: 10 to 20 cm;
• in the other regions of Switzerland, 5 to 10 cm over widespread areas; in the central sector of the southern flank of the Alps it remained dry.

Thus, between Wednesday afternoon and Friday afternoon the following amounts of snowfall were registered above 2000 m overall:

• northern Alpine Ridge from the Grimsel Pass into the Glarus Alps, northern Grisons, Engadine north of the Inn: 40 to 60 cm, up to 70 cm from place to place;
• furthermost western part of the Lower Valais, remaining parts of northern Alpine Ridge, remaining parts of Grisons: 30 to 40 cm;
• in the other regions of Switzerland, 15 to 30 cm over widespread areas, in the central and southern parts of Ticino it remained predominantly dry.

Temperature At midday at 2000 m, between -5 °C in the northern and the eastern regions and 0 °C in the Valais and in the southern regions. Wind Winds were blowing from northerly directions,

• on the Main Alpine Ridge and southwards therefrom, as well as in Grisons, winds were frequently blowing at moderate to strong velocity, in other regions at light to moderate strength;
• slackening off during the afternoon.

Weather forecast through Saturday, 15.04.2023 During the nocturnal hours in the western regions, precipitation is anticipated. In the eastern and the southern regions it is expected to remain dry and skies partly clear. During the daytime hours in the northern regions, skies will be predominantly overcast. Precipitation is expected to intensify, also reaching the eastern regions during the afternoon. The snowfall level will lie between 1200 and 1400 m. In the southern regions it will remain dry and partly sunny. Fresh snow Between Friday afternoon and Saturday afternoon, the following amounts of fresh snow are anticipated above approximately 1600 m:

• western part of the Jura region, furthermost western part of Lower Valais along the French border, region Bex-Villars: 20 to 30 cm;
• remaining parts of the western sector of the northern flank of the Alps, northern Valais, southern Lower Valais: 10 to 20 cm;
• in the other regions of Switzerland, only a few centimetres; in the central sector of the southern flank of the Alps it is expected to remain dry.

Temperature At midday at 2000 m, -2 °C in the northern regions and 0 °C in the southern regions. Wind Winds will be blowing from northerly directions,

• during the nighttime hours and the next morning at light strength, frequently at moderate velocity at elevated altitudes;
• blowing at increasing strength during the afternoon in the southern regions more than anywhere else, as evening approaches at strong velocity in some places.

Outlook through Monday, 17.04.2023 Sunday On Sunday, further precipitation is anticipated over far-reaching areas, which will be intensive particularly on the northern flank of the Alps and in northern Grisons. On the northern Alpine Ridge, in the central and eastern sectors of the northern flank of the Alps, 30 to 50 cm of fresh snow can be expected, in northern Grisons 15 to 30 cm. The snowfall level will lie at 1200 to 1400 m. In the southern regions it will be predominantly dry and quite sunny. A moderate strength northerly wind will be blowing, in the southern regions blowing at strong velocity. Avalanche danger levels are expected to increase over widespread areas, particularly intensively in the major areas of precipitation on the northern Alpine Ridge. There, Danger Level 4 (high) can be reached. Over far-reaching areas, conditions for winter sports enthusiasts who are active beyond the borders of secured ski runs are critical. On the southern flank of the Alps the avalanche situation is more favourable. Monday On Monday, particularly in the regions further to the east, an additional amount of snowfall is anticipated above 1200 to 1400 m. During the daytime hours in the western regions, it will be partly sunny, in the other regions of Switzerland mostly overcast. Winds will frequently be blowing at moderate strength from easterly directions. Avalanche danger levels are expected to decrease somewhat. Nevertheless, conditions for winter sports enthusiasts in backcountry terrain outside the bounds of secured ski runs continue to be critical in the northern regions.