Bex-Villars

A mostly overcast night: Rapid increase in danger of wet avalanches in the course of the day

A mostly overcast night: Rapid increase in danger of wet avalanches in the course of the day

In some places dry avalanches can be triggered in the old snow and reach a dangerous size. Single winter sport participants can release avalanches. The avalanche prone locations are rather rare but are barely recognisable, even to the trained eye. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase with altitude. Defensive route selection is appropriate.

In some places a weak layer is to be found above the crust containing Saharan dust. In recent days, numerous avalanche releases – many of them triggered by people – have been reported in this layer, in particular in Valais and on the northern Alpine ridge. There have not been any reports of fractures occurring in even deeper layers of the snowpack. As a consequence of the high temperatures and strong solar radiation, the snowpack is becoming increasingly moist. The snowpack is thoroughly moist up to the high Alpine regions on south facing slopes, below approximately 2800 m on west and east facing slopes, and below approximately 2000 m on north facing slopes.

Monday night was quite clear, apart from some passing cloudbanks. During the day it was fairly sunny. Fresh snow: - Temperature: At midday at 2000 m: between +10 °C in the north and +5 °C in the south Wind: - Light to moderate from the southwest - In the northern Alpine valleys, a moderate foehn wind at times Tuesday night will be frequently cloudy and the outgoing longwave radiation will be reduced. During the day it will be partly sunny, except for passing cloudbanks and haze caused by Saharan dust. Fresh snow: - Temperature: At midday at 2000 m: between +8 °C in the north and +5 °C in the south Wind: Light to moderate, backing from southerly to easterly

After a quite clear night, Thursday will be fairly sunny. In the afternoon there will be a few showers in the north, but these will cease during Thursday night. On Thursday night the skies will therefore be only partly clear. Friday will be quite sunny. The danger of dry avalanches will continue to decrease. On each of the coming days, as the day progresses wet snow avalanches and, in particular on the northern Alpine ridge, gliding avalanches as well are to be expected. Backcountry touring and ascents to refuges are to be commenced early and concluded timely.