At elevated altitudes a considerable avalanche danger will be encountered over a wide area
Edition: 23.3.2021, 17:00 / Next update: 24.3.2021, 18:00
Snowpack
The snow drift accumulations formed at the weekend by the strong northerly wind remain prone to triggering on shady slopes in particular.
In particular in Valais and Grisons, avalanches can be released on north and east facing slopes, and in some case on west facing slopes as well, in a weak layer near the surface of the snowpack. In these weak layers, several avalanches, in some cases dangerously large ones, have been triggered by people in recent days. In particular in places with shallow snow cover, individual avalanches have penetrated near-ground layers of old snow in their track.
As the effects of warming and solar radiation increase, the danger of wet snow and gliding avalanches will escalate as the day progresses.
Observed weather on Tuesday, 23.03.2021
On Monday night the skies were clear over a wide area. During the day the weather was sunny.
Fresh snow
-
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m: between 0 °C in the west and -3 °C in the east
Wind
From northerly directions
  • During the night in the Jura, the western part of the northern Alpine ridge, and the central and eastern parts of the main Alpine ridge, moderate to strong
  • Otherwise mostly light to moderate
Weather forecast through Wednesday, 24.03.2021
The weather will be sunny.
Fresh snow
-
Temperature
Increasing; at midday at 2000 m: between +2 °C in the west and south, and 0 °C in the east
Wind
Mostly light, on the main Alpine ridge and the northern Alpine ridge occasionally moderate, from northerly directions
Outlook through Friday, 26.03.2021
On Thursday and on Friday morning the weather will be fairly sunny. On Friday afternoon, cloud will build up from the southwest.
The danger of dry avalanches will decrease slowly. The danger of wet snow and gliding avalanches will vary slightly during the day.