Moderate avalanche danger will be encountered in some regions
Edition: 8.3.2021, 17:00 / Next update: 9.3.2021, 18:00
Snowpack
On wind-protected shady slopes, the snow drift accumulations of recent days are sometimes lying on faceted layers. In these places, slab avalanches have been released by people. The snow drift accumulations have been covered with Monday’s fresh snow and are difficult to recognise.
In addition, stability tests have fractured layers of old snow in the uppermost third of the snowpack in isolated cases, in particular in the central and eastern parts of the northern flank of the Alps. Weak layers in the old snow near the ground exist in all aspects in particular in Grisons and Valais above approximately 2200 to 2400 m. For more than a week, however, no further dry avalanches have been triggered in these weak layers.
The snowpack is thoroughly moist up to towards 2800 m on very steep south facing slopes, and up to approximately 2200 m on east and west facing slopes. In recent days, however, barely any further gliding avalanches have been released. In the regions with fresh snow, solar radiation is likely to give rise to moist snow slides on very steep sunny slopes.
Observed weather on Monday, 08.03.2021
On Sunday night a little snow fell in the north. The snowfall level was approximately 1000 m. In the morning it remained very cloudy and some final precipitation fell along the Alps. As the day progressed it became increasingly sunny. It was quite sunny in the south.
Fresh snow
  • Northern flank of the Alps from Schächental to Pizol: 10 to 20 cm
  • Extreme west of Lower Valais, rest of the northern flank of the Alps, northern Grisons: 5 to 10 cm
  • Elsewhere: a few centimetres, but remaining dry on the southern flank of the Alps in central Grisons and in Engadine
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m: between -4 °C in the north and -1 °C in the south
Wind
Mostly light
Weather forecast through Tuesday, 09.03.2021
On Monday night a little precipitation will fall in the south, but it will be dry during the day. In the north it will be partly sunny with extensive cloudbanks, but local showers may occur in the afternoon. The snowfall level will be approximately 900 m.
Fresh snow
  • Southern flank of the Alps: 5 to 10 cm
  • Elsewhere: a few centimetres or remaining dry
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m: about -5 °C
Wind
Light, towards the evening moderate, from northerly directions
Outlook through Thursday, 11.03.2021
Wednesday
Wednesday will be mostly sunny. During the day, fairly dense cloud will build up from the west. The wind will be light to moderate from the west to northwest.
The avalanche danger will not change significantly.
Thursday
There will be variable cloud, and precipitation will fall at times. There will be a strong to storm force westerly wind in the north, and a foehn wind in the susceptible valleys.
As a consequence of wind and precipitation, the avalanche danger will increase in the north. In the south the danger will not change significantly.