Lower Valais

Haut Val de Bagnes

Tue 9 Dec

Hard-to-read day. Persistent or gliding-snow problems can mask the real risk.

Day Risk Profile

Considerable
All day

Avalanche Problems

Dry snow level 3 Persistent weak layers dry All day
N, NE, E, SE, W, NW
above 2400m
Avalanche prone weak layers exist in the centre of the snowpack in particular on shady slopes. Avalanches can in some places be released by a single winter sport participant. These can penetrate deep layers and reach large size. Isolated whumpfing sounds can indicate the danger. Backcountry touring and other off-piste activities call for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger.
Wet snow level 2 Wet snow + Gliding snow wet All day
All aspects
below 2400m
The snowpack will be moist below approximately 2400 m. As a consequence of warming during the day and solar radiation wet avalanches are possible as the day progresses, even medium-sized ones. Gliding avalanches can also occur at any time. Areas with glide cracks are to be avoided as far as possible.

Snowpack & Weather

Snowpack

The fresh snow and wind slabs from the past two days are lying on soft layers, especially on slopes that are protected from the wind, and in some places surface hoar has also been covered by snow. With the mild temperatures, the wind slabs are settling and stabilising rapidly. However, it is still possible for avalanches to be triggered at the transition to the old snowpack.

Up to 2400 m, the snowpack has been soaked by the rain down to around 2100 m. The snowpack will stabilise somewhat during the mostly clear night into Tuesday.

On shady slopes above approximately 2400 m and in the high Alpine regions in general, there are faceted weak layers deep in the old snowpack. With the new and drifted snow of the past two days, fractures are again possible in isolated cases. Avalanches may then become large.

Weather review for Monday

There was still widespread precipitation in the north overnight to Monday. The snowfall level rose to around 2300 m. It was mostly sunny during the day.

Fresh snow

From Saturday night to Monday morning, the following amounts fell above around 2400 m:

  • Northern flank of the Alps, northern Valais, northern Prättigau: 20 to 30 cm, locally up to 40 cm
  • Rest of Valais, rest of Gotthard region, rest of northern Grisons: 10 to 20 cm
  • Elsewhere less than 10 cm across a wide area, dry in the very south

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, around +4 °C

Wind

From the west:

  • Strong during the night in the north and generally at high altitudes, storm force at times
  • Light to moderate during the day.
Weather forecast to Tuesday

After a mostly clear night, it will be sunny and very mild.

Fresh snow

-

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, between +8 °C in the north and +4 °C in the south

Wind

Light to moderate southwesterly

Outlook

After mostly clear nights, Wednesday and Thursday will be mostly sunny and mild. The zero-degree level will be around 3100 m on Wednesday and 2700 m on Thursday. There will be a light to moderate southwesterly wind.

The risk of dry avalanches will continue to decrease. The danger of wet avalanches will change over the course of the day and will increase a little during the day. Gliding avalanches are still possible on steep grassy slopes.

Issued

9 Dec 13:47 UTC

Valid until

9 Dec 16:00 UTC

Next update

9 Dec 16:00 UTC

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