Slight increase in danger of dry avalanches as a consequence of the new snow
Edition: 29.3.2022, 17:00 / Next update: 30.3.2022, 18:00
Snowpack
The surface of the snowpack is rough in most places and snow penitents are to be found in particular on sunny slopes. The bonding between the anticipated fresh snow and the old snowpack is therefore likely to be favourable in most places.
The snowpack is thoroughly moist on north facing slopes below approximately 1800 m, on east facing slopes below approximately 2500 m, on south facing slopes up to more than 3000 m, and on west facing slopes below approximately 2800 m. As temperatures fall, the danger of wet snow avalanches will decrease. Individual gliding avalanches can still occur, in particular on the northern Alpine ridge.
In the north the snow line on north facing slopes is 1000 to 1400 m; in the south it is 1800 to 2200 m. On south facing slopes the snow line is mostly 300 to 500 m higher. In general, the quantity of snow lying on the ground is small; exceptionally little snow is lying in the south. In view of the thin and in many cases faceted snowpack, on glaciers there remains an elevated risk of falling into a crevasse, especially in southern Valais.
Observed weather on Tuesday, 29.03.2022
The night was partly cloudy, so that the outgoing longwave radiation was reduced. During the day it was quite sunny, apart from intermediate to high-altitude cloudbanks and haze caused by Saharan dust.
Fresh snow
-
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m: between +5 °C in the west and +3 °C in the east
Wind
Mostly light from westerly directions; moderate to strong southwesterly in the Jura during the day
Weather forecast through Wednesday, 30.03.2022
It will be mostly very cloudy and light precipitation will commence. The snowfall level will be approximately 1500 to 1700 m.
Fresh snow
By Wednesday afternoon the following amounts of snow will fall above approximately 1800 m:
  • 5 to 10 cm over a wide area
  • Northern and central Grisons as well as Lower Engadine: a few centimetres
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m: about +1 °C
Wind
At elevated altitudes moderate southwesterly
Outlook through Friday, 01.04.2022
It will be mostly very cloudy and snow will fall at times. The snowfall level will drop, reaching low altitudes on Friday. In the period to Friday afternoon, 30 to 40 cm of snow is to be expected on the northern flank of the Alps, 20 to 30 cm in Valais and Grisons, and 10 to 20 cm in the south. At elevated altitudes the wind will be moderate from the west to northwest. On Friday the wind direction will change to easterly.
The danger of dry avalanches will increase, most significantly in the north. As temperatures fall, wet snow avalanches are no longer likely to occur. Individual gliding avalanches can still occur, in particular on the northern Alpine ridge.