High Alpine regions: Wind slabs are to be evaluated with care and prudence
Edition: 24.5.2021, 17:00 / Next update: 25.5.2021, 18:00
Snowpack
At high altitudes and in the high Alpine regions, the quantities of snow lying on the ground are above the average for the time of year. In the high Alpine regions in particular, the conditions are wintry.
The fresh snow and snow drift accumulations of recent days remain prone to triggering in the high Alpine regions in particular. As a consequence of solar radiation, moist snow slides are to be expected. In addition, small and medium wet snow and gliding avalanches can be released in all aspects.
Observed weather on Monday, 24.05.2021
The night was mostly overcast. During the day, precipitation fell in the south. The snowfall level was approximately 2200 m. The north was mostly cloudy. It remained mostly dry until the afternoon.
Fresh snow
From Monday morning until Monday afternoon above 2500 m:
  • Central part of the southern flank of the Alps: 5 to 15 cm
  • Elsewhere: a few centimetres or remaining dry
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m: between +4 °C in the north and +1 °C in the south
Wind
From southerly directions: moderate to strong during the night at elevated altitudes, light to moderate during the day
Weather forecast through Tuesday, 25.05.2021
On Monday night, precipitation will fall over a wide area on the northern flank of the Alps. The snowfall level will drop from 2200 m to below 1500 m. In the south, the night will be mostly dry. During the day, the north will remain cloudy at first with a little precipitation. During the afternoon, it will become quite sunny. The south will be sunny with a northwesterly wind.
Fresh snow
From Monday afternoon until Tuesday morning above 2200 m:
  • Extreme west of Lower Valais: 15 to 30 cm
  • Over a wide area: 5 to 15 cm, but locally up to 20 cm
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m: between -2 °C in the north and +2 °C in the south
Wind
At elevated altitudes, moderate, occasionally strong from the west
Outlook through Thursday, 27.05.2021
On the northern flank of the Alps it will be sunny only at times. Isolated showers are possible. In the inneralpine regions and the south, it will be quite sunny on both days. The zero degree level will be approximately 2500 m on Wednesday and approximately 2700 m on Thursday.
The danger of dry avalanches warrants caution, in particular on very steep north facing slopes in the high Alpine regions. In particular on slopes that have retained the snow thus far, both moist snow and gliding avalanches are to be expected.