Pilatus

In the east a considerable avalanche danger will be encountered in some regions.

Avalanches can be released in near-surface layers of the snowpack. Additionally in isolated cases avalanches can also be triggered in deep layers and reach medium size. Avalanche prone locations are to be found in particular at transitions from a shallow to a deep snowpack. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for careful route selection.

Snowpack Snow depths in the flat measurement fields in the western regions are slightly below average levels, in the other regions of Switzerland significantly below average. Only in the furthermost western part of the Lower Valais and in the Vaud and Fribourg Alps is there slightly more snow on the ground than is customary for this juncture of the season. The snow cover in the regions of the furthermost western part of the Lower Valais where snowfall has been heaviest is the most favourable. On the northern flank of the Alps, the lowermost part of the snowpack is frequently well consolidated, however atop of that are several expansively metamorphosed (faceted) layers deeply embedded inside the snowpack. In the remaining regions of Switzerland, there are also expansively metamorphosed layers between consolidated layers and crusts inside the snowpack. These layers are especially pronounced in places where the snow is shallow; in those spots one breaks with one's skis through the snow down to the ground. Most of the released avalanches which have been triggered by persons during the last few days were small-to-medium sized, in isolated cases also large-sized. Many avalanches fractured down to weak ground-level layers in the Valais and the Grisons more than anywhere else. In the western regions and the northern regions on steep, grass-covered sunny slopes, isolated gliding snow avalanches are possible, particularly in the Vaud and Valais Alps. Observed weather review Wednesday, 25.01.2023 In the southern regions and in the mountains it was predominantly sunny. In the northern regions the high fogbank ceiling lay at 1400 m. Fresh snow - Temperature At midday at 2000 m, 0 °C. Wind Winds were blowing from easterly directions,

• predominantly at light strength,
• blowing at moderate strength in some high altitude places.

Weather forecast through Thursday, 26.01.2023 It will be predominantly sunny in the mountains above the high fogbanks in the northern regions and above the low-lying clouds in the southern regions. Fresh snow - Temperature Temperatures are expected to drop. At midday at 2000 m, between -4 °C in the western regions and -6 °C in the eastern regions. Wind Winds will be northeasterly, blowing over widespread areas at light strength, increasingly at moderate strength at elevated altitudes. Outlook through Saturday, 28.01.2023 In the northern and the eastern regions, the cloud ceiling will ascend to 2500 to 2800 m on Friday during the course of the day, subsequently drop again to approximately 1800 m on Saturday. Above that altitude and in general in southern regions it will be predominantly sunny. The northeasterly winds will be blowing at moderate to strong velocity in general at high altitudes as well as in the western Prealps, in the other regions of Switzerland blowing at light to moderate strength. On Friday, somewhat lower temperatures are expected, compared to Thursday. Avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.