Waadtländer Voralpen

Snowpack

On the central part of the southern flank of the Alps, the large amount of new fallen snow from the past week is gradually settling and consolidating. However, the upper layers of the new snow and wind slabs are sometimes prone to triggering. In the other regions, new snow and wind slabs are particularly prone to triggering on shady slopes where they lie on an unfavourable old snow surface consisting of soft, faceted layers. These layers of new snow and wind slabs are thickest along the Main Alpine Ridge.

In Valais, Ticino and Grisons, deeper layers of the snowpack are loose and faceted. Avalanches can sometimes be triggered into these deep layers of the snowpack, especially on shady slopes.

As a consequence of solar radiation, loose snow avalanches and gliding avalanches are to be expected in regions with a lot of new snow, especially on sunny slopes. These may occasionally become large in the south. Individual gliding avalanches are also possible in the north.

Weather forecast to Monday

In the west and south, it will be sunny in the mountains. In the north and east, a few centimetres of snow will fall above 800 m during the night; as the day progresses, it will become increasingly sunny.

Fresh snow

From Sunday afternoon to Monday morning on the northern flank of the Alps and in Grisons: a few centimetres.

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, between -3 °C in the west, -1 °C in the south and -6 °C in the east

Wind

• Light to moderate northeasterly winds.
• Moderate to strong Bise winds in the Jura and the Prealps as the day progresses.

Weather review for Sunday

It was mostly very cloudy, with isolated bright spells in Valais. In the north and west, a little snow fell above approximately 1000 m. In the south, it snowed more intensively above approximately 1400 m.

Fresh snow

Within two days from Friday to Sunday afternoon above approximately 1800 m:

• Great St. Bernard, Upper Visp valleys, Simplon region, southern Goms, western Ticino, Val Bregaglia: 30 to 50 cm.
• Western Jura, other regions along the Main Alpine Ridge and to the south of it: 15 to 30 cm.
• Immediately north of the Main Alpine Ridge: 5 to 15 cm.
• Elsewhere: a few centimetres.

As a result, around 120 cm of new snow has fallen on the southern flank of the Alps in the last 7 days, and even more in some localities.

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, between -5 °C in the north and -2 °C in the south.

Wind

• Light to moderate southeasterly winds during the night.
• During the day, winds were mostly light and blew from various directions.

Outlook for Tuesday and Wednesday

It will be sunny in the north on both days. In the south, a little snow will fall down to low altitudes on Tuesday. As the day progresses, there will be bright spells. On Wednesday, it will also be sunny in the south. The wind will be mostly light on both days. The danger of dry avalanches will continue to decrease. Moist loose snow avalanches and individual gliding avalanches are possible, especially as the day progresses.