Waadtländer Voralpen

Snowpack

Thursday’s occasionally strong winds created snowdrift accumulations prone to triggering in the regions that have seen fresh snowfall. Particularly on the Main Alpine Ridge and south from there, the fresh and drifted snow is lying on an unfavourable old snow surface made up of soft faceted layers, especially on northern slopes. On south-facing slopes, the connection between fresh and old snow is more favourable.

In addition, in Valais, Ticino and Grisons, deep layers of the snowpack are loose and faceted, especially on steep north-facing slopes. In these regions, isolated avalanches can still be triggered in deep layers of the snowpack.

As a consequence of the falling temperatures, gliding avalanche activity is continuing to decrease.

Weather forecast to Friday

Conditions will be very cloudy and there will be precipitation, especially in the south and east. The snowfall level will be 700 m in the north and 1300 m in the south. There will be bright intervals, especially in the Valais Alps.

Fresh snow

From Thursday afternoon to Friday afternoon, the following amounts are anticipated above approximately 1600 m:

• Main Alpine Ridge from the Lukmanier Pass to the Bernina region and south of there: 15 to 30 cm
• central and eastern part of the northern flank of the Alps, Gotthard region, Upper Valle Maggia, Sotto Ceneri, as well as Upper Engadine and northern and central Grisons: 5 to 15 cm
• elsewhere less or dry

Temperature

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

Wind

• Mostly moderate southwesterly to southerly overnight, also strong at higher altitudes
• During the day mostly light from southerly directions, with a moderate Bise wind developing in the Prealps and the Jura

Weather review for Thursday

Conditions varied from cloudy with bright intervals to very cloudy, with intermittent precipitation. The snowfall level was 1200 m in the north and 1400 m in the south. There were longer bright spells especially in the west and the high Alpine regions.

Fresh snow

From Wednesday afternoon to Thursday afternoon, the following amounts fell above around 1800 m:

• western Lower Valais, eastern part of the northern flank of the Alps, Upper Valle Maggia, Bedretto, Avers, Val Bregaglia and Bernina region: 10 to 20 cm
• elsewhere a widespread 5 to 10 cm

This means that, over the course of 4 days, from Sunday afternoon to Thursday afternoon, the following amounts fell above 2000 m:

• southern flank of the Alps without Val Müstair, Bernina region: 30 to 50 cm
• extreme west of Lower Valais and other regions along the main Alpine ridge: 15 to 30 cm
• less elsewhere

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, around -3 °C

Wind

• Mostly light overnight
• During the day mostly moderate, at high altitudes also strong from the southwest

OutlookSaturday

Conditions will be very cloudy with intermittent precipitation. In the south, 15 to 30 cm of snow may fall, less elsewhere. However, the amount of precipitation is still uncertain. The snowfall level will be around 1400 m in the south and 800 m in the north. Winds will be light to moderate from southerly directions. Along the Prealps and in the Jura, the Bise wind will drop during the day.

The danger of dry avalanches will continue to increase, especially in the regions in the south which have seen heavy fresh snowfall. In addition, gliding avalanches and moist snow slides will be possible in these regions, especially at intermediate altitudes.

Sunday

Conditions will be very cloudy and there will continue to be some intermittent precipitation. The snowfall level will be around 1200 m in the south and 800 m in the north. There will be sunny intervals in Valais and Grisons, and winds will mostly be light.

The danger of dry avalanches will not change significantly. There will be a possibility of gliding avalanches and moist snow slides, especially in regions with fresh snow.