In the early morning a favourable avalanche situation will be encountered over a wide area. Slight increase in danger of wet avalanches in the course of the day
Edition: 21.4.2022, 17:00 / Next update: 22.4.2022, 18:00
Snowpack
In the southern and the eastern regions the outgoing longwave radiation tonight will be reduced, only a thin crust will be able to form. In the remaining regions of Switzerland, nocturnal skies will be predominantly clear; there the snowpack will freeze and form a crust capable of bearing loads. As a consequence of the daytime warming, the crust will soften and thaw and the danger of wet-snow avalanches will increase somewhat.
South-facing slopes are thoroughly wet up into high alpine regions; west-facing and east-facing slopes are wet below approximately 3000 m; north-facing slopes below approximately 2400 m.
Isolated danger zones for dry-snow avalanches are still to be found on very steep north-facing slopes above approximately 2600 m more than anywhere else.
Observed weather on Thursday, 21.04.2022
Nocturnal skies on Wednesday in the northern regions were partially clear, in the southern regions skies were overcast. During the daytime on Thursday skies were variably cloudy in the Valais and in the southern regions. In the northern regions it was rather sunny in spite of some cloudbanks.
Fresh snow
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Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, between +5 °C in the northern regions and +1 °C in the southern regions.
Wind
Winds were blowing predominantly at light strength from easterly directions.
Weather forecast through Friday, 22.04.2022
Nighttime skies on Thursday in the northern regions will be partially clear. On Friday in the northern regions it will be rather sunny in spite of some cloudbanks. In the southern regions and in Grisons, skies will be predominantly overcast. On the Main Alpine Ridge and southwards therefrom, isolated showers are possible in the latter part of the day in particular. The snowfall level will lie at approximately 2400 m.
Fresh snow
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Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, approximately +5 °C.
Wind
Winds will be blowing at light strength.
Outlook through Sunday, 24.04.2022
Saturday
On Saturday it will be only partly sunny as a result of widespread cloudbanks. In the southern and also in the western regions, intermittent precipitation is anticipated. In the western and central sectors of the Main Alpine Ridge, 15 to 30 cm of fresh snow is expected above 2200 m by evening. Winds will be blowing intermittently at strong velocity from southerly directions.
The danger of dry-snow avalanches is expected to increase in the regions where there is precipitation. As a consequence of the fresh snow and winds, fresh snowdrift accumulations will be generated during the course of the day. The danger of wet-snow avalanches is not expected to change significantly.
Sunday
On both the northern and the southern flank of the Alps skies will be variably cloudy to heavily overcast. Precipitation is anticipated from the south. The snowfall level will descend to 1700 m on Saturday night. On the Main Alpine Ridge and in Upper Valais, 20 to 40 cm of fresh snow is expected over widespread areas, on the Main Alpine Ridge from Monte Rosa into the Bernina region up to 60 cm of fresh snow. Winds at high altitudes will frequently be blowing at storm strength on Saturday night, during the daytime hours on Sunday at moderate to strong velocity, from southerly directions.
The danger of dry-snow avalanches is expected to increase significantly along the Main Alpine Ridge. In the remaining regions of Switzerland the danger will stem from freshly generated snowdrift accumulations more than anything else. The danger of wet-snow avalanches will tend to decrease as temperatures drop.