Hohgant

Snowpack

Some snow fell repeatedly at the beginning of this week, especially in the high Alpine regions of Bern and Valais. From Thursday evening to Saturday morning, persistent precipitation fell, especially on the northern flank of the Alps and in Grisons. The snowfall level dropped appreciably during Thursday night into Friday, lying at between 1600 and 2000 m. Sometimes strong northerly winds led to the formation of wind slabs at high altitudes. Dry avalanches may be released, especially in the new snow and drift snow. Before this precipitation event, the old snowpack was wet on all aspects below approximately 3000 m. In the event of rain or incoming radiation, wet avalanches are still possible.

There is more snow at high altitudes than is normally the case at the end of May. On the flat measuring fields at 2000 m there is widely approximately 130% and at 2500 m as much as 160% of the long-term average. At 2500 m, the last time that there was more snow than now at this time of year was at the end of May 2019.

Trend until Monday, 03.06.2024

In the north, it will be cloudy to very cloudy with some precipitation at times. The snowfall level will rise to between 2400 and 2600 m on Sunday and to between 2600 and 2800 m on Monday. In the high Alpine regions, a further 10 to 20 cm of snow is possible. In the south, it will be partly sunny with cumulus clouds and showers as the day progresses. There will be a light to moderate northeasterly wind.

The danger of dry avalanches will decrease quickly. Moist snow slides and avalanches from the new snow are to be expected as the day progresses in the event of rain or solar radiation.

There will be wintry conditions in the high Alpine regions. Hikers should also pay attention to the avalanche danger, because wet avalanches can sometimes hit areas without any snow cover.