Considerable avalanche danger will be encountered over a wide area
Edition: 3.2.2022, 17:00 / Next update: 4.2.2022, 18:00
Snowpack
The very deep layers of fresh fallen snow and freshly generated snowdrifts which were unleashed in numerous places on Tuesday and on Wednesday lie deposited on west-facing, north-facing and east-facing slopes atop an unfavourable, expansively metamorphosed (faceted) weak layer. From the southern Valais over the northern Ticino as far as Grisons, furthermore, the entire snowpack is often expansively metamorphosed (faceted). Avalanche triggerings by persons are easily possible in all regions, except on the southern flank of the Alps. In the central and eastern sectors of the northern flank of the Alps, in the northern Valais and in Grisons, numerous large-sized avalanches were triggered today either by persons or artificially (through explosives). This delicate situation is expected to quiet down only incrementally, particularly on shady slopes.
At intermediate altitudes, gliding avalanches continue to be possible.
Observed weather on Thursday, 03.02.2022
On Wednesday night in the northern and the eastern regions there was an additional small amount of snowfall registered. During the daytime on Thursday it was quite sunny in the mountains in spite of high-altitude cloudsbanks.
Fresh snow
All in all between Monday midday and Wednesday evening, the following amounts of fresh snow were registered above 1500 m:
  • northern Alpine Ridge from Haslital into the Glarus Alps: 90 to 120 cm;
  • remaining regions of the central and eastern sectors of the northern flank of the Alps, northern Grisons: 60 to 90 cm;
  • Bernese Oberland, northern Valais, central Grisons, Engadine north of the Inn: 40 to 60 cm;
  • in the remaining regions of Switzerland, generally 15 to 30 cm;
  • in the furthermost southern regions it remained dry.
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, between +6 °C in the western regions and +2 °C in the eastern regions.
Wind
Winds during the nocturnal hours were blowing at moderate strength, sometimes at strong velocity, from northerly directions; during the daytime initially at generally light strength, during the afternoon at light to moderate strength, from westerly directions.
Weather forecast through Friday, 04.02.2022
Following a night of predominantly clear skies, it will initially still be sunny during the daytime in the Jura region and on the northern flank of the Alps, subsequently cloud cover will move in from the northwest. In the inneralpine and southern regions it will be predominantly sunny.
Fresh snow
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Temperature
Temperatures are expected to drop. At midday at 2000m: between 0 °C in the western and southern regions and -3 °C in the northeastern regions.
Wind
Winds will be blowing at moderate strength, intermittently at strong velocity during the nighttime hours on Wednesday in the Jura region, on the northern flank of the Alps and in general at high altitudes, from westerly to southwesterly directions.
Outlook through Sunday, 06.02.2022
On Friday night in the northern regions, a small amount of snowfall is anticipated. The snowfall level will descend down to low lying areas. In the Upper Valais, in the Engadine and on the southern flank of the Alps, it is expected to remain predominantly dry. After the clouds have dispersed on Saturday it will be quite sunny in the mountains. On Sunday during the course of the day, new cloud cover will move in from the northwest.
Avalanche danger levels will gradually decrease. Particularly in the inneralpine regions, conditions for snow sports in outlying regions away from secured ski areas will remain treacherous.