In the west and in the north a high avalanche danger will be encountered in some regions
Edition: 14.3.2021, 17:00 / Next update: 15.3.2021, 18:00
Snowpack
As a consequence of fresh snow and strong-velocity winds, snowdrift accumulations are continuing to grow in the Valais, on the northern flank of the Alps and in northern Grisons. In the remaining regions of Switzerland the snowdrift accumulations are not as deep. Fresh fallen snow and freshly generated snowdrifts are prone to triggering. In isolated cases, avalanches can also sweep along more deeply embedded sections of the old snowpack, particularly on shady slopes above approximately 2200 m.
Weak layers at ground level of the old snowpack are still evident, more than anywhere else in the Valais and in Grisons above approximately 2200 to 2400 m in all aspects. Avalanche triggerings in these deeper-down weak layers are unlikely for the present moment.
Observed weather on Sunday, 14.03.2021
In the southern regions it was rather sunny, in the other regions of Switzerland skies were heavily overcast over widespread areas. Intermittently there was snowfall, persistent in the northern and the western regions. The snowfall level descended swiftly down to low lying areas on Saturday night.
Fresh snow
The following amounts of fresh snow were registered above approximately 1200 m between Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon:
  • western and northern parts of Lower Valais, Vaud Alps, Fribourg Alps, Glarus Alps: 30 to 50 cm;
  • eastern Lower Valais, valleys of Visp, remaining parts of northern flank of the Alps, Gotthard region, northern Grisons, northern Lower Engadine: 15 to 30 cm;
  • remaining parts of Upper Valais, northern Ticino, central Grisons, Upper Engadine, southern Lower Engadine: 5 to 10 cm; further to the south it remained predominantly dry.
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, between -8 °C in the northern regions and -5 °C in the Ticino.
Wind
  • Winds at high altitudes were blowing at strong to storm velocity from northwesterly directions;
  • in the southern regions, northerly winds were blowing at strong velocity down to low lying areas.
Weather forecast through Monday, 15.03.2021
On Monday in the northern regions, further persistent snowfall down to low lying areas is anticipated. Only in the furthermost southern regions will it be predominantly sunny as a result of northerly winds.
Fresh snow
The following amounts of fresh snow are expected above approximately 1200 m between Sunday afternoon and Monday afternoon:
  • northern flank of the Alps from the Aletsch region into the Glarus Alps: 40 to 60 cm;
  • western part of Jura region, remaining parts of northern flank of the Alps, Valais not including Saastal and Simplon region, also southern part of the Gotthard region, northern Grisons and the northern part of Lower Engadine: 20 to 40 cm;
  • Saastal and Simplon region, remaining parts of northern Ticino, remaining parts of central Grisons, Upper Engadine, southern part of Lower Engadine and southern valleys of Grisons: 10 to 20 cm;
  • central Ticino: 5 to 10 cm; further to the south it will remain dry.
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, between -7 °C in the northern regions and -4 °C in the southern regions.
Wind
  • Winds at heightened altitudes will be blowing at strong to storm strength from northwesterly directions;
  • winds in the southern regions will be blowing at strong velocity from northerly directions down to low lying areas.
Outlook through Wednesday, 17.03.2021
In the northern regions, further snowfall is anticipated, most of which will fall between the eastern part of the Bernese Oberland and the Glarus Alps and in northern Grisons. In the western regions the snowfall is expected to slacken off. In the southern regions it will remain predominantly dry. The low temperatures will continue. Northwesterly winds will slacken off, but in the southern regions a strong northerly foehn wind will continue to blow.
In the northern and the eastern regions the avalanche situation will remain critical. In the western regions, avalanche danger will incrementally decrease. In the southern regions, avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly.