Considerable avalanche danger will be encountered over a wide area
Edition: 15.2.2022, 17:00 / Next update: 16.2.2022, 18:00
Snowpack
Fresh snow and wind will give rise to further snow drift accumulations, in particular in the west and north. In addition, the fresh snow and snow drift accumulations of recent days remain prone to triggering in some places. As a consequence of rain, natural avalanches are to be expected below approximately 2000 m, in particular on the northern flank of the Alps. In view of the unfavourable bonding of the snowpack these can be triggered, in the western part of the northern flank of the Alps in particular, in the weak layers that exist deep in the snowpack, especially on shady slopes.
Distinct weak layers also exist from southern Valais through northern Ticino to Grisons. In particular on little-used west, north and east facing slopes, avalanches can be triggered in these deep layers, including large ones in isolated cases.
Observed weather on Tuesday, 15.02.2022
On Monday night, snow fell in the southeast and in the western Jura in particular. During the day, snow fell in the other regions. On the southern flank of the Alps there were isolated bright spells in the afternoon. The snowfall level was approximately 1000 m in the north, and in the lowlands in the south.
Fresh snow
From Monday evening until Tuesday afternoon:
  • Eastern parts of Ticino, Sotto Ceneri, main Alpine ridge from Rheinwald to the Bernina Pass and to the south: 20 to 30 cm
  • Other regions: 10 to 20 cm over a wide area, but smaller amounts in the eastern Jura, Upper Valais and Lower Engadine
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m: between -7 °C in the north and -3 °C in the south
Wind
Mostly light to moderate in the western part of the northern flank of the Alps and in Lower Valais, elsewhere moderate to strong from the west to northwest
Weather forecast through Wednesday, 16.02.2022
After a break in precipitation, snowfall will commence in the morning from the west and, in the north and in Valais, persist until the evening. The snowfall level will rise quickly from 1000 to 2200 m, in the morning in the Jura, otherwise from the middle of the day. In the inneralpine regions the rise will occur a little later, in the eastern regions in particular. The central part of the southern flank of the Alps will be mostly dry, and there will be some bright spells in the south.
Fresh snow
From Wednesday morning until Wednesday afternoon above approximately 2000 m:
  • Northern Alpine ridge from Chablais into the Glarus Alps, Lower Valais: 10 to 20 cm
  • Rest of the northern flank of the Alps, southern Upper Valais, Prättigau, Lower Engadine north of the Inn: 5 to 10 cm
  • Elsewhere: smaller amounts, none in the south
Approximately 20 mm of rain will fall in the western Jura, and around 10 mm in the Prealps.
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m: around 0 °C in the north and -3 °C in the south, rising further in the afternoon
Wind
In the north and at elevated altitudes, strong from westerly directions
Outlook through Friday, 18.02.2022
Thursday
On the northern Alpine ridge and in northern Grisons and Valais, 30 to 50 cm of snow may fall. The amounts of precipitation remain uncertain. The snowfall level will remain approximately 2000 m during Wednesday night, before dropping to approximately 1500 m on Thursday as the day progresses. There will be bright spells in the far south.
The wind will be storm force from the west to northwest.
In the north and in Valais the avalanche situation will be critical for snow sport outside marked and open pistes. Natural dry and wet snow avalanches are to be expected. These can also reach a large size. In some regions, danger level 4 (high) may be reached. In the other regions the avalanche situation will not change significantly.
Friday
It will be fairly sunny and very mild. In the north and at elevated altitudes there will be a strong to storm force westerly wind. The avalanche danger will decrease a little.