Waadtländer Voralpen

In the west a high avalanche danger will be encountered in some regions.

Large quantities of fresh snow and the wind-drifted snow are lying on top of a weakly bonded old snowpack. Single winter sport participants can release avalanches easily, including large ones. Isolated natural avalanches are possible. Avalanches can in some cases release the entire snowpack. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger and caution.

Snowpack Heavy precipitation and strong wind have given rise to extensive snow drift accumulations in the west and north, which will become even larger on Tuesday. Over a wide area, fresh snow and snow drift accumulations are lying on top of an unfavourable weak old snowpack. Avalanches can be released within the fresh snow and wind slab layers, and in some cases penetrate the old snowpack, or they may be released directly in the old snowpack. Before the snowfall only a little snow was lying In the avalanche paths and generally at intermediate altitudes. For this reason, even relatively large avalanches will rarely reach low altitudes. Observed weather review Monday, 09.01.2023 During the night, snow fell over a wide area. After a break in the precipitation with some bright intervals, snowfall recommenced from the west towards midday. During the day the south was partly sunny. The snowfall level dropped from 1500 m towards 1000 m. Fresh snow Between Sunday morning and Monday afternoon above 1600 m:

• Lower Valais in the extreme west and north, Leukerbad-Lötschental region: 40 to 60 cm
• Immediately neighbouring regions to the north, rest of Lower Valais, rest of northern Upper Valais, the regions from Val Bregaglia to Bernina, Val Poschiavo: 20 to 30 cm
• Western Jura, remaining western part of the northern flank of the Alps, southern Upper Valais, central part of the southern flank of the Alps, rest of Upper Engadine, Val Müstair: 10 to 20 cm
• Elsewhere: 5 to 10 cm

Temperature At midday at 2000 m: between -6 °C in the north and -3 °C in the south Wind

• During the night moderate to strong, from the southwest
• During the day strong, sometimes storm force, from the northwest

Weather forecast through Tuesday, 10.01.2023 During the night further snow will fall over a wide area, even at low altitudes. During the day only a little more snow will fall, but it will be mostly cloudy. In the far south it will remain dry and during the day it will be quite sunny. Fresh snow Above approximately 1200 m:

• Northern Alpine ridge from the Bietschhorn into the Glarus Alps: 30 to 40 cm, but locally up to 50 cm
• Lower Valais, rest of the northern Alpine ridge, northern Grisons, Silvretta and Samnaun regions: 15 to 30 cm
• Elsewhere: 5 to 15 cm over a wide area; dry in the far south

Temperature Rising temperatures from the west as the day progresses; at midday at 2000 m: between -6 °C in the west and -8 °C in the east; about -4 °C in the south Wind From the west to northwest

• Mostly strong, on the main Alpine ridge and the southern flank of the Alps sometimes storm force
• During the day on the northern flank of the Alps, moderate

Outlook through Thursday, 12.01.2023 Wednesday On Tuesday night and Wednesday morning only a little precipitation will fall. The snowfall level will rise to approximately 1800 m during the night in the west and north in particular. It will remain lower in the south and in Grisons. In the afternoon persistent precipitation will return and the snowfall level will drop towards 1200 m. In the extreme west of Lower Valais and on the northern flank of the Alps approximately 10 to 20 cm of snow will fall above 2000 m, but the amounts will be smaller elsewhere. The wind will be mostly strong from the west. In the south and Grisons only a little precipitation will fall and there will be some bright spells. The avalanche danger will temporarily decrease a little. For snow sport participants venturing off piste, however, the avalanche situation will remain critical over a wide area. Gliding avalanches are to be expected at low and intermediate altitudes. Thursday On Thursday snow will again fall over a wide area. In Valais, on the northern flank of the Alps and in northern Grisons, 20 to 50 cm of further snow is to be expected. However, the amounts of precipitation remain uncertain. The snowfall level will be between 1000 and 1200 m. The avalanche danger is expected to increase again in the west and north.