Waadtländer Voralpen

Snowpack

The strong southerly winds and fresh snow on the Main Alpine Ridge and to the south of it are resulting in snowdrift accumulations that are prone to triggering. These are most prevalent in the regions that were exposed to the heaviest precipitation. In the other regions, they are mainly present on shady slopes at high altitudes where there was still loose, transportable old snowpack.

The snowpack is water-saturated on southern slopes up to the high alpine regions and on eastern and western slopes up to around 2800 m. On northern slopes, most of the old snowpack is water-saturated up to around 2400 m. Only a thin melt-freeze crust forms during the partly cloudy night. This softens as the day progresses and medium to large wet and gliding avalanches are to be expected.

Weather forecast to Monday

During the night into Monday, a few centimetres of snow will fall on the Main Alpine Ridge and to the south of it above approximately 1900 m. Elsewhere there will be cloudy intervals. During the day it will be quite sunny. There will be cumulus clouds as the day progresses, especially in the Prealps.

Fresh snow

A few centimetres on the Main Alpine Ridge and to the south of it

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m in Valais and Grisons +4 °C, otherwise +2 °C

Wind

There will be a light to moderate southwesterly wind.

Weather review for Sunday

In the south, snow fell above approximately 2000 m. In the north, it was often cloudy with passing showers, especially in the west.

Fresh snow

From Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, the following amounts of snow fell above approximately 2200 m:

• Main Alpine Ridge in Upper Valais from Mattmark to southern Goms, Val Bedretto, Valle Maggia: 20 to 40 cm
• Immediately to the north thereof, remaining central part of the southern flank of the Alps: 10 to 20 cm
• Rest of the Main Alpine Ridge in Valais, Averstal, Val Bregaglia, Bernina region: 5 to 10 cm

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, between +4 °C in the east and +2 °C in the west and south

Wind

Stormy at times during the night, moderate to strong during the day from southerly directions

Outlook

The nights are only partly clear. On Tuesday, it will be quite sunny in the mountains with cumulus clouds and isolated showers as the day progresses. It will be often cloudy along the Prealps. On Wednesday, there will be frequent cloudy periods with snow showers as the day progresses.

There will be mostly light southerly winds on both days. The zero-degree level will be around 2500 m.

The danger of dry avalanches will decrease. Wet and gliding avalanches are to be expected, especially as the day progresses.