Upper Valais
Leukerbad - Lötschental
Manageable day. Deteriorating: low this morning, moderate by afternoon, with wet snow at the surface — you can watch it build.
Day Risk Profile
Avalanche Problems
No distinct problem
1
Field notes
SLF uses this label when no single problem dominates the assessment, often on lower-danger days. It doesn't mean conditions are safe: any avalanche type is still possible, and normal caution applies. On stable days this is usually a signal to enjoy the mountains with general awareness; on less-stable days where the assessment is still inconclusive, it's a signal to be cautious specifically because there's no clear pattern to follow.
Wet snow
2
Field notes
Rolling snowballs, deep penetration when you step or ski, and small natural slides are clear signals that the Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary is losing strength. After a clear, cold night the surface often freezes into a strong supporting Layer of hard-compacted snow resulting from a melt-freeze process or wind.EAWS glossary, and conditions are favourable in the early morning. After a warm, overcast night, the problem may be present from the start of the day. Plan early returns and watch the runout zones below you.
Snowpack & Weather
Snowpack
With the mild weather, moisture penetration into the Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary is well advanced. At present, north-facing slopes at altitudes between 2200 and 2600 m are most sensitive 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 Areas above approximately 3000 m (particularly glaciated areas).EAWS glossary. It is especially on these Direction in which a slope faces as indicated by compass direction of the fall line; i.e. a north slope faces in a northerly direction.EAWS glossary and at these critical altitudes that isolated large or occasionally even very large wet The abrupt release of a slab of snow on a mountain slope. After crack initiation and crack propagation in a weak layer the released slab comprises 3 elements: The weak layer, the gliding horizon and the slab. If the slope angle is steep enough, the slab will glide down. If the slope is not steep enough, the slab will settle down on the failed weak layer. Possibly a whumpf sound will follow due to air pressed out of the weak layer. The fracture line will be sharp edged.EAWS glossary may be triggered naturally. In Grisons in particular, the Snowpack layer in which the crystals are poorly bonded and the layer has the potential to fail. Typical crystals in dry weak layers causing avalanches are : precipitation particles; surface hoar; faceted crystals; hollow crystals; graupel. Generally >1mm in size, loose grains with few bonds Wet weak layers can be formed by all snow crystal/grain types.EAWS glossary in the Snow layers deposited from earlier precipitation, prior to fresh fallen snow. Old snow layers consist of metamorphosed snow crystals.EAWS glossary are the least deeply buried, and it is here that wet slab avalanches are likely also to be triggered by human activity. Distinctive noise (resembling a “whumpf” sound) occurring when a weak layer beneath a slab collapses. The air of the weak layer is forced outside the snowpack, with the resulting whumpf sound being heard. The sound usually indicates an unstable situation and can be accompanied by surface cracking. A whumpf is a clear avalanche alert.EAWS glossary sounds continue to be a possible indication of a weak snowpack.
At higher altitudes, where the Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary is still dry, the Snowpack layer in which the crystals are poorly bonded and the layer has the potential to fail. Typical crystals in dry weak layers causing avalanches are : precipitation particles; surface hoar; faceted crystals; hollow crystals; graupel. Generally >1mm in size, loose grains with few bonds Wet weak layers can be formed by all snow crystal/grain types.EAWS glossary in the Snow layers deposited from earlier precipitation, prior to fresh fallen snow. Old snow layers consist of metamorphosed snow crystals.EAWS glossary must continue to be assessed with caution. However, dry avalanches have been rare in recent days.
Weather review for Sunday
The night into Sunday was partly clear, but also partly overcast with some showers, especially in the south. During the day, it was partly sunny in the west and south, and often very cloudy in the northeast with showers.
Fresh snow
A few centimetres locally above approximately 2400 m
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, between + 3 °C in the north and +7 °C in the west and south
Wind
Light to moderate from westerly directions, becoming stronger at times during showers
Weather forecast to Monday
Sunday night into Monday will be somewhat cloudy at times in the north and mostly clear in the south. During the day, it will be mostly sunny in the west and south, and partly cloudy in the northeast. Isolated showers are possible in the afternoon.
Fresh snow
A few centimetres are possible locally above approximately 2200 m
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, between + 1 °C in the northeast and + 5 °C in the west and south
Wind
Light to moderate from westerly directions
Outlook to Wednesday
On Tuesday, it will be quite sunny after a mostly clear night. During the night into Wednesday, it will be partly cloudy in the south with some showers, with conditions becoming increasingly sunny during the day. In the north, Wednesday will be mainly sunny after a clear night.
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.