Niedersimmental

In high Alpine regions, the last few days’ fresh and drifted snow is lying primarily on steep north-facing slopes on faceted weak layers in the top part of the old snowpack. Avalanche reports from recent days confirm that these weak layers are in some cases prone to triggering.

Further saturation of the snowpack is currently progressing only slowly. Wet snow avalanches that can sweep away the entire snowpack are therefore relatively rare. The most critical areas are north-facing slopes between 2200 and 2600 m, where the snowpack is becoming saturated for the first time.

Overnight to Friday saw occasionally cloudy skies. During the day, conditions were often sunny with some cumulus clouds and isolated showers.

Fresh snow

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Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, around +7 °C

Wind

Light to moderate southwesterly

The night to Saturday will mostly be clear. During the day, conditions will be very sunny with cumulus clouds and isolated showers as the day progresses.

Fresh snow

-

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, around +7 °C

Wind

Mostly light southwesterly

The night to Sunday will be mostly overcast while, during the day, it will be very cloudy with some precipitation, especially in the south. The snowfall level will be around 2400 m and there will be a moderate southerly wind at times in the high Alpine regions. Monday will likewise often be overcast, with some widespread precipitation, which will be heaviest in the west, where 10 to 20 cm of snow is expected at high altitudes. The snowfall level will be around 2200 m, with a moderate to strong westerly wind at high altitudes.

The danger of dry avalanches will not change significantly on Sunday, but will increase somewhat on Monday.

During the overcast nights, there will be little outgoing radiation from the snowpack, meaning the danger of wet avalanches will be subject to little diurnal variation. Due to the relatively cool weather, avalanche activity is expected to remain low.