In the early morning a favourable avalanche situation will prevail. Increase in avalanche danger in the course of the day
Edition: 26.3.2022, 17:00 / Next update: 27.3.2022, 18:00
Snowpack
During a night of clear skies a crust capable of bearing loads forms 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 are 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 inneralpine and the southern regions of Grisons, as well as in the southern Valais, deeply embedded inside the snowpack there are pronounced weak layers evident. These layers can react with unusual sensitivity to moistening. Moist and wet-snow avalanches can, in those places, sweep away these deep layers inside the snowpack or fracture directly in those layers. They can, in some places, be triggered by persons.
The snowpack on south-facing slopes below approximately 3000 m, on east-facing and west-facing slopes below approximately 2500 m, and on north-facing slopes below approximately 1600 m, is thoroughly wet.
Observed weather on Saturday, 26.03.2022
Following a night of clear skies it was sunny during the daytime hours.
Fresh snow
-
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, between +5 °C in the western and the southern regions and +2 °C in the eastern regions.
Wind
Winds on the northern Alpine Ridge were blowing at moderate strength, in the other regions of Switzerland at light strength, from southeasterly directions.
Weather forecast through Sunday, 27.03.2022
Following a night of clear skies it will be sunny.
Fresh snow
-
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, +5 °C.
Wind
Winds will be blowing at light to moderate strength from southeasterly directions.
Outlook through Tuesday, 29.03.2022
Monday
Following a night of clear skies it will be predominantly sunny. During the course of the day there will be some convective cloud built-up, particularly in the Prealps. The zero-degree level will lie at 2500 m. Winds will be blowing predominantly at light strength from westerly directions.
The avalanche situation is favourable during the morning hours. During the course of the day the danger of wet-snow and gliding avalanches increases. Backcountry tours should be terminated sufficiently early in the day.
Tuesday
During Monday night the outgoing longwave radiation will be reduced due to high-altitude clouds. During the daytime on Tuesday, clouds will gather and become heavy from the west, and isolated showers are possible in the northern regions.
Over widespread areas, only thin crusts will form on the snowpack surfaces. The danger of wet-snow and gliding avalanches will increase somewhat during the morning hours in case of solar radiation.