Gradual increase in avalanche danger as a consequence of new snow and stormy weather
Edition: 30.1.2022, 17:00 / Next update: 31.1.2022, 18:00
Snowpack
As a consequence of fresh fallen snow and strong-velocity westerly to northwesterly winds, snowdrift accumulations will be generated anew. Both fresh snow and fresh snowdrifts on wind-protected west-facing, north-facing and east-facing slopes will be deposited on top of an unfavourable, expansively metamorphosed (faceted) layer of snow crystals. The old snowpack surfaces in ridgeline terrain, on south-facing slopes and in frequently skied terrain are more favourable.
More deeply embedded inside the snowpack in the Jura region, on the northern flank of the Alps and in the western part of the Lower Valais, thick rain crusts which formed during the last week of the old year are evident up to high altitudes. These thick crusts tend to stabilise the lower 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 and riddled with thin melt-freeze crusts. To an increasing degree, you sink down to the ground on your skis. With regard to the approaching snowfall, the structuring of the old snowpack is particularly unfavourable in these regions.
Observed weather on Sunday, 30.01.2022
On Saturday night in the central and eastern parts of the Prealps above 1300 m, there was a small amount of snowfall. During the daytime on Sunday in the western regions, in the Valais, in the Ticino and in the Engadine, it was predominantly sunny. In the remaining regions of Switzerland there were increasingly frequent bright intervals. In the northeastern regions skies remained predominantly overcast.
Fresh snow
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Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, between +4 °C in the western and the southern regions and -4 °C in the eastern regions.
Wind
Winds were westerly to northerly,
  • blowing mostly at strong velocity at high altitudes, intermittently at storm strength;
  • blowing at light to moderate strength in the furthermost western regions.
Weather forecast through Monday, 31.01.2022
Following a night of partially clear skies, snowfall will rapidly set in from the north and fall down to low lying areas. In central Ticino and Sotto Ceneri it will be quite sunny.
Fresh snow
By Monday evening:
  • on the northern Alpine Ridge from the Wildstrubel to the Alpstein: 10 to 20 cm;
  • Jura region, remaining parts of the northern flank of the Alps, Valais not including southern Simplon region, Gotthard region, northern Grisons, Lower Engadine north of the Inn: 5 to 10 cm;
  • in the other regions of Switzerland: only a few centimetres; in the furthermost southern regions it will remain dry.
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, between -8 °C in the northern regions and -4 °C in the southern regions, temperatures dropping further during the course of the afternoon.
Wind
Winds still be blowing at strong to storm velocity, initially from westerly directions, shifting to northwesterly during the course of the day.
Outlook through Wednesday, 02.02.2022
Tuesday
On Monday night in the northern regions and in Grisons, intensive snowfall down to low lying areas is anticipated. Also in the other regions of Switzerland, snowfall is expected over widespread areas, only in the furthermost southern regions will it remain dry. During the daytime on Tuesday the intensity of the snowfall will slacken off somewhat. A strong-to-storm strength northwesterly wind will be blowing. On the northern Alpine Ridge from the Bernese Oberland as far as Liechtenstein and in northern Grisons, as a consequence of 40 to 60 cm of fresh snow being registered, Danger Level 4 (high) can be reached. Also in the other regions of Switzerland, avalanche danger levels are expected to increase over widespread areas.
Wednesday

During Tuesday night and on Wednesday, an additional similar amount of fresh snow is expected from the Bernese Oberland as far as northern Grisons. Also in the other regions of Switzerland, 20 to 40 cm of fresh snow is anticipated over widespread areas. Only on the southern flank of the Alps will there be very little snowfall. The snowfall level will ascend in the northern regions to approximately 1000 m, in the Alpine valleys it will remain at lower altitudes. The avalanche danger levels will increase over far-reaching areas to Danger Level 4 (high) in the Alps. Only on the southern flank of the Alps are avalanche danger levels not expected to change significantly.