At elevated altitudes a considerable avalanche danger will be encountered in some regions. Fresh wind slabs require caution
Edition: 10.3.2021, 17:00 / Next update: 11.3.2021, 18:00
Snowpack
Storm-strength winds have transported the fresh snow which fell over the last few days, along with the loosely-packed old snow. Snowdrift accumulations which are prone to triggering have been generated. In the northern regions these drifted masses are frequently large-sized, elsewhere predominantly small-to-medium sized.
In Grisons and in the Valais more than anywhere else, weak layers continue to be evident in the ground level layers of the old snowpack above approximately 2200 m in all aspects. Nevertheless, during the last two weeks no further dry-snow avalanches have been registered as having triggered in these weak layers.
Observed weather on Wednesday, 10.03.2021
During the night there was a small amount of precipitation registered from place to place. Subsequently, skies cleared up from the west. During the daytime it was quite sunny. Only further to the east were skies frequently overcast during the morning hours.
Fresh snow
Only a few centimetres from place to place.
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, between -2 °C in the western and the southern regions and -6 °C in the eastern regions.
Wind
Winds on the Main Alpine Ridge were blowing at moderate to strong velocity, in the other regions of Switzerland at light-to-moderate strength, from northerly directions.
Weather forecast through Thursday, 11.03.2021
Skies will be variably cloudy accompanied by showers. In the southern regions it will be partly sunny. The snowfall level will lie between 1200 and 1800 m.
Fresh snow
Only a few centimetres from place to place.
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, +3 °C in the northern regions and -2 °C in the southern regions.
Wind
  • Winds in the northern regions and at high altitudes in general will be blowing at strong velocity, during the course of the day becoming increasingly stormy, from westerly directions;
  • in the foehn-exposed valleys of the north, moderate-strength foehn wind will prevail.
Outlook through Saturday, 13.03.2021
Friday
On Thursday night, precipitation is anticipated over widespread areas accompanied by storm-strength westerly winds. Most of the fresh snow will fall in the western and northern regions. The snowfall level is expected to descend from approximately 1800 m down to approximately 1000 m. During the daytime, conditions in the northern regions will be variable, accompanied by some showers. In the southern regions it will be partly sunny.
As a result of the fresh fallen snow and storm-strength winds, avalanche danger levels will increase in the western and the northern regions, in the southern regions no significant change is expected.
Saturday
On Saturday in the northern regions, skies will be variably cloudy accompanied by showers. In the furthermost western regions in particular, an additional 20 to 30 cm of fresh snow is possible. Winds will be blowing at strong to storm strength from westerly directions. In the southern regions it will be predominantly sunny.
Avalanche danger levels might increase somewhat further in the westernmmost regions. In the other regions of Switzerland, avalanche danger is not expected to change significantly.