Lower Valais

Conthey-Fully

Sun 19 Apr Sunrise 06:37 20:23 Drizzle

Manageable day. Moderate to considerable danger — read the terrain carefully.

Day Risk Profile

Low
All day
Moderate
Later

Avalanche Problems

Dry snow level 1 No distinct problem dry All day
N, NE, E, SE, SW, W, NW
above 2200m
As a consequence of new snow and a moderate northwesterly wind, small wind slabs will form in some localities. The number and size of avalanche prone locations will increase in the high Alpine regions. Apart from the danger of being buried, restraint should be exercised in particular in view of the danger of avalanches sweeping people along and giving rise to falls.
Wet snow level 2 Wet snow wet Later
Outgoing longwave radiation during the night will be reduced. As the day progresses as a consequence of warming during the day there will be only a slight increase in the danger of wet avalanches. This applies in particular on steep north facing slopes below approximately 2400 m, as well as on steep east, south and west facing slopes between approximately 2500 and 3000 m. A few wet avalanches are possible. Mostly these are medium-sized. Avalanches can in very isolated cases release the entire snowpack and reach very large size. Backcountry tours and ascents to alpine cabins should be started early and concluded timely.

Snowpack & Weather

Snowpack

With the mild weather, moisture penetration into the snowpack is well advanced. At present, north-facing slopes at altitudes between 2200 and 2600 m are most susceptible to moisture penetration. On east- and west-facing slopes, the critical altitudes are somewhat higher, at approximately between 2500 and 2800 m. On south-facing slopes, moisture penetration extends as far as the high alpine regions. It is especially on these aspects and at these critical altitudes that isolated large or occasionally even very large wet slab avalanches may be triggered naturally. In Grisons in particular, the weak layers in the old snowpack are the least deeply buried, and it is here that wet slab avalanches are likely also to be triggered by human activity. Whumpfing sounds continue to be a possible indication of a weak snowpack.

At higher altitudes, where the snow cover is still dry, the weak layers in the old snowpack must continue to be assessed with caution. However, dry avalanches have been rare in recent days.

Weather review for Saturday

The night into Saturday was mostly clear. During the day it was mostly sunny with high cloud and some cumulus clouds developing in the afternoon.

Fresh snow

-

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m around +8 °C

Wind

Mostly light, sometimes moderate from westerly directions

Weather forecast to Sunday

The night into Sunday will be partly cloudy. During the day it will be mostly cloudy in the northeast and showers and thunderstorms are possible. The snowfall level will drop from around 2200 m to 1900 m. In the south and west it will be partly cloudy. Isolated showers are possible, but sunny spells are also to be expected.

Fresh snow

In the north, 5 to 10 cm is possible above 2500 m. Locally, there may also be heavier precipitation in the form of showers.

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, between + 3 °C in the northeast and + 6 °C in the west and south

Wind

Light to moderate from the northwest, becoming stronger in the afternoon

Outlook to Tuesday

In the west and south it will be quite sunny after mostly clear nights. In the northeast there will be somewhat more cloud and it will only be partly sunny. As the day progresses, isolated showers are possible.

The danger of dry avalanches will not change significantly.

The danger of wet avalanches will increase during each day. Off-piste skiing and hut ascents should be completed in good time.

Issued

18 Apr 15:00 UTC

Valid until

19 Apr 15:00 UTC

Next update

19 Apr 15:00 UTC

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