Dry avalanches in high Alpine regions. Wet avalanches as the day progresses
Edition: 1.5.2022, 17:00 / Next update: 2.5.2022, 18:00
Snowpack
Small to medium-sized snowdrift accumulations which were generated over the last few days are still triggerable from place to place in high alpine regions. In addition, during the days prior to the precipiatation, slab avalanches were triggered by persons in dry, near-surface layers and on predominantly north-facing slopes above 3000 m. Triggerings in these somewhat more deeply embedded layers of the snowpack could still be possible in isolated cases.
The old snowpack is thoroughly wet far up into high alpine regions on south-facing slopes, on west-facing and east-facing slopes it is wet below approximately 3000 m, and on north-facing slopes below approximately 2600 m. The continuing process of the snowpack becoming thoroughly wet is progressing only haltingly.
Observed weather on Sunday, 01.05.2022
The precipitation came to an end on Saturday evening. Nocturnal skies on Saturday were predominantly clear in the western regions, only partially clear in the southern and the eastern regions. During the daytime hours on Sunday it was quite sunny in the western and the southern regions. In the eastern regions there were sunny intervals amid variably cloudy skies.
Fresh snow
The snowfall level lay between 1800 and 2000 m. On Saturday evening there was a few centimetres of fresh snow registered over widespread areas.

Since the beginning of this period of precipitation on Friday night, the following amounts of fresh snow have been registered at high altitudes:
  • northern Alpine Ridge from the Aletsch region into the Glarus Alps, northern Grisons: 15 to 30 cm;
  • remaining regions of the main Alpine Ridge, of the Valais and Grisons: up to 15 cm from place to place;
  • in the other regions of Switzerland, only a few centimetres; or else it remained dry.
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, between +4 °C in the western and the southern regions and 0 degrees in the northern and the eastern regions.
Wind
Winds were blowing at light strength.
Weather forecast through Monday, 02.05.2022
Nocturnal skies on Sunday will be predominantly clear. During the morning hours on Monday it will be generally sunny. During the course of the day the cloud cover will increase and isolated showers are possible in the mountains. The zero-degree level will lie at 2600 m.
Fresh snow
-
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, +5 °C.
Wind
Winds will be blowing at light strength from varying directions.
Outlook through Wednesday, 04.05.2022
During the nighttime hours, outgoing longwave radiation conditions will be unfavourable due to overcast skies. During the daytime hours it will be partly sunny, accompanied by varying degrees of cloudiness, in particular on Tuesday further to the east, otherwise skies will tend to be rather gray. Particularly during the afternoons, precipitation is anticipated over widespread areas in the form of showers. The zero-degree level will continue to lie at 2600 m.
Dry-snow avalanches are still possible on steep north-facing slopes in high alpine regions more than anywhere else. Isolated wet-snow avalanches are possible all day long.