Snowpack

The transition from the fresh fallen snow of the last few days to the now frozen layer of dust from the Sahara which lies beneath it is favourable in many places. A weak layer of expansively metamorphosed (faceted) crystals has been observed also there from place to place, from which avalanches were able to be triggered.
Prior to the current round of snowfall there was a cohesive area-wide snowpack on north facing slopes above approximately 1000 to 1400 m in the northern regions, and above approximately 1800 to 2200 m in the southern regions. On south-facing slopes the snow lines generally lay 300 to 500 m higher up. In the southern regions there is extraordinarily little snow on the ground for this juncture of the season.

Observed weather on Sunday, 03.04.2022

The snowfall came to an end during the night. In early morning on the Main Alpine Ridge and southwards therefrom, as well as generally in high alpine regions, it was quite sunny for a brief spell. Subsequently cloud cover moved in once again.

Fresh snow

On Saturday evening, 10 to 20 cm of fresh snow extending down to low lying areas was registered from the northern Central Switzerland over the Glarus Alps as far as the Alpstein; in the other regions only a few centimetres of fresh snow. Thus, between Thursday afternoon and the end of this period of precipitation on Saturday night, the following overall amounts of fresh snow were registered above approximately 1600 m:

from the eastern Bernese Oberland into the Schwyzer Alps: 60 to 80 cm;
remaining parts of the northern flank of the Alps, Bernina region: 40 to 60 cm;
southern Valais, Upper Valais, Grisons south of the Anterior Rhine not including Moesano, Jura region: 20 to 40 cm;
in the remaining regions of Switzerland: 10 to 20 cm over widespread areas.

Temperature

It continued to be cold. At midday at 2000 m: between -9 °C in the northern regions and -5 °C in the southern regions.

Wind

Winds during the nocturnal hours were blowing at moderate strength, at strong velocity from place to place on the Main Alpine Ridge, from northerly directions;
during the daytime hours in the Jura region, a moderate bise wind was blowing (from place to place at strong velocity); otherwise generally light winds.

Weather forecast through Monday, 04.04.2022

In the northern and the western regions skies are expected to clear up during the night tonight, and Monday will be sunny. In the Engadine the clouds will disperse during the morning, in the southern regions during the course of the afternoon.

Fresh snow

A few centimetres of fresh snow are anticipated in southern regions during the night.

Temperature

The night will be very cold in the northern regions. At midday at 2000 m: approximately -4 °C in all regions.

Wind

To start with, the bise wind will still be blowing in the Jura region;
in the Alps, initially light winds, in the afternoon often blowing at moderate strength, from westerly directions

Outlook through Wednesday, 06.04.2022

Tuesday

In the northern regions skies will be heavily overcast and particularly during the afternoon a small amount of precipitation is expected from region to region. The snowfall level will ascend to approximately 1500 m. In the eastern regions more than anywhere else, a moderate strength, from place to place a strong-velocity westerly wind will be blowing. In the Valais and on the Main Alpine Ridge it will be partly sunny, in the furthermost southern regions it will be sunny over widespread areas.
In the northeastern regions more than anywhere else, the loose old snow will be transported and from place to place snowdrift accumulations will be generated. In the other regions of Switzerland the danger of dry-snow avalanches is expected to decrease. In the southern regions, moist slides are possible as a result of solar radiation.

Wednesday

In the northern regions skies will be partly overcast, but for the most part it will remain dry. In the southern regions it will be quite sunny to start with, subsequently cloud cover will move in there as well.
Avalanche danger is expected to diminish.