Considerable avalanche danger will be encountered in some regions
Edition: 25.4.2022, 17:00 / Next update: 26.4.2022, 18:00
Snowpack
In the south the large amounts of fresh snow that fell at the weekend are continuing to settle and bond, but only slowly in the high Alpine regions. Fresh snow and wind gave rise to new medium-sized snow drift accumulations on Monday, in particular in the central and eastern parts of the northern flank of the Alps. On north facing slopes at elevated altitudes in particular, they are prone to triggering.
Underneath the fresh snow the snowpack is thoroughly moist up to elevated altitudes in the high Alpine regions on south facing slopes, below approximately 3000 m on west and east facing slopes, and below approximately 2400 m on north facing slopes. In isolated cases avalanches can release the saturated snowpack.
Observed weather on Monday, 25.04.2022
Sunday night was partly clear in the south, otherwise overcast. During the day the west and north were mostly very cloudy with precipitation at times. The snowfall level was approximately 1800 m. In Ticino and Engadine it was quite sunny.
Fresh snow
From Sunday afternoon until Monday afternoon above approximately 2200 m:
  • Northern Alpine ridge from the Titlis into the Glarus Alps: 25 to 40 cm
  • Rest of the northern Alpine ridge from Les Diablerets into Alpstein, rest of the central and eastern parts of the northern flank of the Alps, Goms, Gotthard region, Prättigau: 10 to 25 cm
  • Further south and in the western Prealps: a few centimetres or none
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m: about 0 °C in the north and +3 °C in the south
Wind
From the west to northwest
  • During the night in the north at elevated altitudes, occasionally strong
  • Otherwise mostly light to moderate
Weather forecast through Tuesday, 26.04.2022
Monday night will be mostly overcast in the north, but clear at times in Valais, Ticino and Grisons. During the day it will be overcast with showers at first and then become sunnier from the west in the afternoon. The snowfall level will lie at 1500 to 1800 m.
Fresh snow
From Monday afternoon until Tuesday afternoon above approximately 2000 m:
  • Northern flank of the Alps from the Bernese Alps into Alpstein: 10 to 20 cm
  • Rest of the northern flank of the Alps, Grisons: 5 to 10 cm
  • Valais, Ticino: a few centimetres or remaining dry
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m: about 0 °C in the west and -2 °C in the northeast, and about +2 °C in the south
Wind
From westerly directions
  • On the northern flank of the Alps at elevated altitudes, moderate to strong
  • Otherwise mostly light to moderate
Outlook through Thursday, 28.04.2022
On Tuesday night the residual cloud will disperse in the northeast as well and the conditions for outgoing longwave radiation will be good. Wednesday will be sunny. After a clear night, Thursday will be sunny. Temperatures will rise a little.
The danger of dry avalanches will decrease; avalanches can still be released in particular on north facing slopes in the high Alpine regions. On each of the coming days the danger of wet snow avalanches will be low after the clear nights, but then increase quickly under the influence of daytime warming and solar radiation.