Waadtländer Voralpen

Snowpack

North of a line from the Rhône to the Rhine and in the extreme west of Lower Valais, 2 to 3.5 m of snow have fallen over the last two weeks. As a result, weak layers in the old snowpack below are thickly covered and can only rarely be triggered by human activity. However, avalanches may become very large.

South of a line from the Rhône to the Rhine, the persistent weak layers that have persisted since the beginning of January are still pronounced. In many places, the surface of the snowpack is compact or load-bearing. The snowpack therefore appears more stable and danger signs such as cracks or whumpfing sounds become less frequent. However, the low-lying weak layers still exist and avalanches can still be triggered by human activity and become large. In Grisons, avalanche-prone locations are still common. In southern Valais, the significant weak layers in the lower part of the snowpack are mostly rather more thickly covered. Avalanche-prone locations where avalanches can be triggered in the weak old snowpack are therefore less frequent and mainly located in areas with relatively little snow.

During the clear night, a crust forms on the surface of the snowpack in many places. In the early morning, this is stable on the south side up to around 2500 m, and on the east and west sides up to around 2300 m. The crust softens quickly as a result of solar radiation. With the rise in temperature through the day, the likelihood of dry slab avalanches being triggered increases slightly. In addition, gliding avalanches are possible on steep grassy slopes and wet avalanches on sunny slopes.

Weather forecast to Friday

After a clear night, it will be sunny and will continue to be mild with a zero-degree level at around 3000 m.

Fresh snow

-

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, between +7 °C in the north and +5 °C in the south

Wind

Light

Weather review for Thursday

After a clear night, conditions were sunny and very mild in the mountains.

Fresh snow

-

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, around +5 °C

Wind

Light

Outlook to Sunday

During the night into Saturday it will be mostly clear, while during the day it will be sunny at first, with clouds gathering from the west in the afternoon. Overnight to Sunday, it will be mostly cloudy and there will be some precipitation in the north, falling above approximately 1400 m as snow. It will be sunny at times during the day on Sunday. It will remain cloudy in the south and there will be some precipitation. There will be a light and at times moderate southwesterly wind on both days.

The danger of dry avalanches will continue to decrease, but only very slowly in southern Valais, Ticino and Grisons due to the pronounced weak layers.

Furthermore, gliding avalanches are possible, and also wet avalanches on sunny slopes, especially on Sunday after an overcast night. These may become large in the west and north.