In the early morning a favourable avalanche situation will prevail. Increase in avalanche danger in the course of the day
Edition: 24.3.2022, 17:00 / Next update: 25.3.2022, 18:00
Snowpack
During a night of clear skies, a crust which is capable of bearing loads will form over widespread areas on sunny slopes. As a consequence of daytime warming and solar radiation this crust then thaws and the snowpack subsequently forfeits its stability. Wet-snow and gliding avalanches then become possible. In the last few days, only very few wet-snow avalanches have been recorded, in spite of the mild temperatures and sunny skies.
In the southern Valais as well as in the inneralpine and the southern regions of Grisons more than anywhere else, there are pronounced weak layers evident which are deeply embedded inside the snowpack. These layers react with particular sensitivity to moistening. Moist and wet avalanches can sweep away deeper layers of the snowpack there, or even fracture directly in those layers. They can also be triggered by persons.
The snowpack on south-facing slopes below approximately 2800 m, on east-facing and west-facing slopes below approximately 2400 m, and on north-facing slopes below approximately 1600 m, is thoroughly wet.
Observed weather on Thursday, 24.03.2022
Following a night of clear skies it was sunny during the daytime hours.
Fresh snow
-
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, between +6 °C in the western and the southern regions and +4 °C in the eastern regions.
Wind
Winds were generally light from southerly directions.
Weather forecast through Friday, 25.03.2022
Following a night of clear skies it is expected to be sunny. During the course of the day, some convective cloud build-up is anticipated.
Fresh snow
-
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, +4 °C.
Wind
Winds will be blowing at predominantly light strength, then shift to easterly.
Outlook through Sunday, 27.03.2022
The nighttime skies are expected to be predominantly clear, the daytime skies predominantly sunny. Particularly in the northern regions, some convective cloud build-up can be expected during the course of the day. The zero-degree level will lie between 2000 and 2400 m. Winds will be blowing predominantly at light strength from southerly directions.
The avalanche situation is favourable during the morning hours. During the course of each day the danger of wet-snow and gliding avalanches increases. Backcountry tours should be brought to a close sufficiently early.