As a consequence of rainfall, the snowpack from the Valais over the northern flank of the Alps as far as northern and central
Grisons became moistened up to altitudes of approximately 2200 to 2400 m on Thursday. As a result of the drastic drop in temperatures
which is forecast, the snowpack will increasingly consolidate.
The deep snowdrift accumulations which were generated in some areas over the last few days are continuing to stabilise further.
As a result of fresh snow and winds, however, fresh snowdrift accumulations will be generated particularly in the northern
regions and the Lower Valais.
From the southern Valais over the northern Ticino as far as Grisons, there are weak layers deeply embedded inside the old
snowpack. Avalanches can be triggered from these deep layers particularly in seldom-frequented terrain on west-facing, north-facing
and east-facing slopes. In isolated cases, avalanches can also grow to large size.