In high Alpine regions a considerable danger of dry avalanches will be encountered in some regions
Edition: 5.5.2022, 17:00 / Next update: 6.5.2022, 18:00
Snowpack
In areas below approximately 2200 m the precipitation of the last three days fell for the most part as rain, in areas above 2700 m predominantly as snow. There the various layers of fresh snow and freshly generated snowdrifts of the last few days have been deposited atop one another. These layers constitute the main danger for dry-snow avalanches.
On south-facing slopes the snowpack is thoroughly wet far up into high alpine regions; on west-facing and east-facing slopes it is wet below approximately 3000 m; and on north-facing slopes below approximately 2600 m. In spite of gray skies and gloomy weather the process of the snowpack becoming thoroughly wet on north-facing slopes progresses apace, even if very slowly.
Observed weather on Thursday, 05.05.2022
During the night there were brief intervals of clear skies, otherwise skies were overcast. On Thursday in the eastern regions skies were bright to start with, in the remaining regions of Switzerland skies were overcast. There was intermittent precipitation registered. The snowfall level lay at 2000 m.
Fresh snow
Between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday afternoon the following amounts of fresh snow were registered above approximately 2600 m:
  • in the Bernese Alps, in the Valais: 15 to 30 cm;
  • in the other regions of Switzerland, as much as 10 cm; in the northeastern regions only a small amount, or else it remained dry.
Since Monday afternoon, the following overall amounts of fresh snow have been registered above 2800 m:
  • in the southern part of Upper Valais: 30 to 50 cm;
  • in the Bernese Alps, in the remaining parts of the Valais and in the central sector of the southern flank of the Alps: 15 to 30 cm;
  • in the other regions of Switzerland, less.
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, +2 °C in the western regions over widespread areas; in Grisons, +5 °C.
Wind
Winds at high altitudes were blowing intermittently at moderate strength from southerly directions, in the other regions of Switzerland blowing at light strength.
Weather forecast through Friday, 06.05.2022
During the night of overcast skies, the snowpack surface below approximately 2400 m will hardly be able to freeze. During the daytime hours, skies will be heavily overcast for the most part. Precipitation is anticipated over widespread areas. During the afternoon in the western regions, it will become increasingly dry. The snowfall level will lie between 1900 and 2200 m.
Fresh snow
Between Thursday afternoon and Friday afternoon, the following amounts of fresh snow are anticipated above 2500 m:
  • eastern sector of the northern flank of the Alps, Upper Valais, Grisons, southern flank of the Alps: 5 to 15 cm; in the Valais sector of the Main Alpine Ridge as much as 20 cm;
  • in the remaining regions of Switzerland, only a few centimetres.
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, +3 °C.
Wind
Winds will be blowing intermittently at moderate strength from easterly to northeasterly directions.
Outlook through Sunday, 08.05.2022
Particularly in the eastern regions, nocturnal skies will be predominantly overcast. Thereby, the surface in altitude belts below 2500 m is hardly able to freeze. During the daytime hours on both days, skies will be heavily overcast in the eastern regions, in the western regions skies will be partly sunny. During the afternoon hours, convective cloud build-up is anticipated. In the mountains, showers can be expected. The zero-degree level will lie at approximately 2800 m.
The danger of dry-snow avalanches is expected to diminish. The danger of wet-snow avalanches is expected to increase during the course of each day. Backcountry tours and ascents to mountain refuges need to be brought to an end early in the day.