Considerable avalanche danger will be encountered in some regions
Edition: 12.2.2022, 17:00 / Next update: 13.2.2022, 18:00
Snowpack
The snowdrift accumulations generated over the last few days are frequently still prone to triggering. In the foehn-influenced regions on the northern flank of the Alps, additional medium to large-sized snowdrift accumulations are currently being generated by moderate to strong-velocity foehn winds.
Furthermore, more deeply embedded inside the snowpack there are weak layers evident. These layers are deeply blanketed over in the central and eastern sectors of the northern flank of the Alps and are unlikely to be triggered. In the western sector of the northern flank of the Alps, they are prone to triggering from place to place. From the southern Valais over the northern Ticino as far as Grisons the weak layers inside the snowpack are particularly pronounced. In those regions avalanches can be triggered in the weakened old snow by persons on shady slopes in particular. The avalanche prone locations are most frequent in places where the snow is shallow and in transition zones from shallow to deep snow.
Observed weather on Saturday, 12.02.2022
Following a night of clear skies it was sunny during the daytime, in spite of some high-altitude cloudbanks.
Fresh snow
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Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, between -1 °C in the northern regions and -6 °C in the southern regions.
Wind
  • During the nocturnal hours winds were blowing at moderate strength from northeasterly directions, then shifting to southerly;
  • during the daytime blowing at light to moderate strength from southwesterly directions; in the Alpine valleys of the north, a moderate strength foehn wind was blowing intermittently.
Weather forecast through Sunday, 13.02.2022
During the nighttime hours skies will be partly overcast. During the daytime it will be sunny.
Fresh snow
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Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, -2 °C in the northern regions and -6 °C in the southern regions.
Wind
  • Winds will be blowing predominantly at moderate strength from southwesterly directions;
  • in the Alpine valleys of the north, increasingly strong foehn winds.
Outlook through Tuesday, 15.02.2022
On Sunday night, skies will be predominantly clear. On Monday morning in the eastern regions it will still be sunny, in the other regions of Switzerland overcast. Starting in the morning hours, snowfall will set in from the west and the south. On Tuesday, snowfall is expected in all regions. In the south the precipitation will come to an end at midday and it will become increasingly sunny. The snowfall level will descend from approximately 1400 m down to low lying areas. All in all, approximately 10 to 20 cm of fresh fallen snow is anticipated over widespread areas. In the furthermost western regions and in southern Grisons, up to 30 cm of fresh snow is probable. On Monday an intermittently strong-velocity southwesterly wind will be blowing; in the Alpine valleys of the north, strong-velocity foehn wind will prevail. On Tuesday, moderate to strong northwesterly winds will be blowing.
On Monday avalanche danger levels are not expected to change significantly. On Tuesday the avalanche danger levels will increase over widespread areas due to fresh snow and strong winds.