A generally favourable avalanche situation will prevail. Fresh wind slabs require caution
Edition: 29.1.2022, 17:00 / Next update: 30.1.2022, 18:00
Snowpack
The small-sized snowdrift accumulations of the last few days are still prone to triggering in some places on very steep shady slopes. Steep south-facing slopes are encrusted on the surface and, particularly in the inneralpine regions and on the southern flank of the Alps, bare of snow up to high altitudes. At high altitudes, as well as in general in ridgeline and pass areas, the snowpack frequently bears striking effects of winds from northerly directions.
The snowdrift accumulations over widespread areas have been deposited on top of loose layers of snow which became expansively metamorphosed (faceted) during the fine-weather period in the latter part of January. Beneath these faceted layers in the Jura region, on the northern flank of the Alps and in the western part of the Lower Valais, frequently thick rain crusts which formed during the last week of the old year are still evident up to high altitudes. These thick crusts tend to stabilise the lowermost layers of the snowpack in these regions.
From the central Valais over the northern Ticino as far as Grisons, on the other hand, the entire snowpack is often expansively metamorphosed (faceted) and riddled by thin melt-freeze crusts. To an increasing degree, you sink all the way down to the ground on your skis.
Observed weather on Saturday, 29.01.2022
In the furthermost western regions and in the Ticino, it was predominantly sunny. In the other regions of Switzerland it turned increasingly sunny. Skies remained overcast for the longest time in the eastern regions.
Fresh snow
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Temperature
At mídday at 2000 m, between +3 °C in the western and the southern regions, and -2 °C in the eastern regions.
Wind
Moderate-to-strong northerly to northwesterly winds at high altitudes, slackening off in the western regions during the daytime.
Weather forecast through Sunday, 30.01.2022
During the nocturnal hours above approximately 1200 m in the northern regions, a small amount of snowfall is anticipated. In the early morning hours in the northern regions, skies will frequently be overcast, accompanied by a few light snow showers. During the course of the day there will be bright intervals from the west. In the Valais and in the Ticino, it will be predominantly sunny.
Fresh snow
In the central and eastern sectors of the northern flank of the Alps and in the Prättigau, only a few centimetres; in the other regions of Switzerland it will remain dry.
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, between -2 °C in the western regions and -5 °C in the eastern regions, in the southern regions +3 °C.
Wind
  • Winds in the northern regions will be blowing predominantly at moderate strength from westerly directions;
  • in the high alpine regions and on the southern flank of the Alps, winds will be strong to storm-strength from northerly directions.
Outlook through Tuesday, 01.02.2022
On Monday morning, a three-day period of precipitation will begin. In the northern regions, snowfall is anticipated on Monday and on Tuesday falling down to low lying areas. In the major areas of precipitation on the northern Alpine Ridge between the eastern Bernese Oberland and the Glarus Alps, approximately 60 cm of fresh snow is expected to fall by Tuesday. In central Ticino and Sotto Ceneri it will be rather sunny. The northwesterly winds will be blowing at strong to storm strength in all regions.
In the northern regions, avalanche danger levels will increase during the course of the day on Monday as a result of the fresh snow and winds. Starting on Monday night in the major regions of precipitation, increasingly frequent naturally triggered avalanches can be expected. On Tuesday, the avalanche situation is expected to remain critical over widespread areas. Danger Level 4 (high) could be reached from region to region.
South of the Main Alpine Ridge, avalanche danger levels are expected to increase only to a minor degree.