Bex-Villars

In the west a high avalanche danger will prevail.

As a consequence of new snow and a sometimes strong westerly wind, extensive wind slabs formed. Avalanches can be released by a single winter sport participant. Natural avalanches are to be expected. In particular on steep north and east facing slopes avalanches can release the saturated snowpack and reach very large size in isolated cases, in particular below approximately 2400 m. Transportation routes situated at higher altitudes can be endangered occasionally. The conditions are critical for snow sport activities outside marked and open pistes.

Below approximately 2400 m gliding avalanches are possible.

Snowpack On west-facing, north-facing and east-facing slopes above approximately 2200 m more than anywhere else, there continue to be weak layers evident deeply embedded inside the old snow cover. In the western and the northern regions, these weak layers are far more heavily blanketed by fresher snowfall than in the regions of the southern Valais as far as Grisons as a rule. In these regions, for that reason, fractures triggered by winter sports enthusiasts in the weakened old snow are even easier to unleash. Higher temperatures and rainfall during the last few days have reinforced the ongoing process of the snow cover becoming thoroughly wet. North-facing slopes are moist for the first time up to between 2000 and 2500 m; east-facing slopes up to between 2500 and 2800 m; south-facing slopes and mostly west-facing slopes are thoroughly wet up to much higher altitudes. On Thursday, numerous avalanches were registered, on north-facing slopes some of them were very-large sized releases. On Friday until the avalanche bulletin was published there were only few avalanches reported. As a consequence of the now descending temperatures, the danger of wet-snow avalanches is expected to decrease. As a result of strong to storm-strength westerly winds, frequently large-sized snowdrift accumulations have been generated at high altitudes in the regions of western Switzerland where recent snowfall has been heaviest. Observed weather review Friday, 31.03.2023 Nocturnal skies on Thursday night were partly clear. During the daytime hours on Friday skies were heavily overcast for the most part. Fresh snow The snowfall level lay between 2200 and 1600 m. Since Thursday afternoon, the following amounts of fresh snow have been registered above 2400 m:

• Valais, northern Alpine Ridge into the Glarus Alps, Bedretto: 20 to 30 cm, as much as 40 cm from place to place;
• remaining regions of the northern flank of the Alps, Prättigau, remaining parts of the northern Ticino: 10 to 20 cm;
• in the other regions of Switzerland, less.

Temperature At midday at 2000 m, +1 °C. Wind Winds were blowing from westerly directions,

• during nighttime hours on Thursday predominantly at moderate strength;
• during the daytime hours on Friday in the western and northern regions blowing at strong to storm strength, elsewhere predominantly at moderate velocity.

Weather forecast through Saturday, 01.04.2023 In the northern regions skies will be heavily overcast by and large accompanied by percipitation. On the southern flank of the Alps it will be predominantly sunny. Fresh snow The snowfall level will lie at approximately 1200 m. By Saturday afternoon, the following amounts of fresh snow are anticipated:

• furthermost western part of the Lower Valais and Conthey-Fully: 40 to 60 cm;
• remaining regions of the northern Alpine Ridge west of the Reuss, remaining parts of the Lower Valais: 20 to 40 cm;
• southern Upper Valais, remaining parts of the northern flank of the Alps, Prättigau, Silvretta, Samnaun: 15 to 30 cm;
• remaining parts of Grison and the southern flank of the Alps: less.

Temperature At midday at 2000 m, between -3 °C in the northern regions and 0 °C in the southern regions. Wind Winds will be westerly to northwesterly,

• blowing predominantly at strong to storm velocity;
• on the southern flank of the Alps, northerly foehn winds will arise during the afternoon.

Outlook through Monday, 03.04.2023 Sunday In the northern regions, skies will continue to be heavily overcast for the most part, accompanied by precipitation on the northern flank of the Alps more than anywhere else. There, 15 to 30 cm of fresh fallen snow is expected over widespread areas above 1000 m. In the southern regions it will be partly sunny as a consequence of northerly winds. Winds will then shift from westerly to northwesterly and be blowing at moderate strength, at strong velocity in some places at heightened altitudes. The danger of dry-snow avalanches will continue to increase further and in some places in the northern regions can reach Danger Level 4 (high). The conditions for winter sports in backcountry terrain, apart from secured ski runs, are unfavourable over far-reaching areas. From region to region, even high-altitude transportation routes can be placed at risk. Monday In the northern regions, skies will be predominantly overcast during the morning hours, accompanied by final precipitation. Subsequently, it will become increasingly sunny. In the southern regions it will be rather sunny. Winds will be blowing increasingly from northeasterly directions. Temperatures are expected to descend somewhat. The avalanche danger levels will incrementally decrease over widespread areas. Conditions for winter sports in open backcountry terrain, apart from secured ski runs, are expected to remain critical over widespread areas.