Turtmanntal

There is appreciably less snow than usual at this time of year and snow conditions for ski touring are very poor, especially below 2000 m and generally in the east.

In all regions, the surface of the snowpackSnow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary is faceted and loose on wind-protected shady slopes. Otherwise, the snowpack structure varies from region to region:

• On the Main Alpine Ridge in Valais and on the central southern flank of the Alps, last week's fresh snow and snowdrift accumulations are lying on a thin but weak old snowpackSnow layers deposited from earlier precipitation, prior to fresh fallen snow. Old snow layers consist of metamorphosed snow crystals.EAWS glossary of faceted crystalsSnow grains, solid, with multiple flat glassy faces and sharp edges. Developed from faceting metamorphism, usually poorly bonded to one another (fewer contact points), a critical factor in avalanches if a faceted layer is covered with bonded snow. Typical grain size: 0.5 to 3 mm See also: www.snowcrystals.itEAWS glossary. Over the past few days, several mostly small to medium-sized avalanches have been triggered by human activity. Isolated avalanches may still be triggered in the old snowpack in these regions.
• In central Valais, northern Upper Valais and throughout Grisons, weak layersSnowpack 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 of faceted crystalsSnow grains, solid, with multiple flat glassy faces and sharp edges. Developed from faceting metamorphism, usually poorly bonded to one another (fewer contact points), a critical factor in avalanches if a faceted layer is covered with bonded snow. Typical grain size: 0.5 to 3 mm See also: www.snowcrystals.itEAWS glossary or surface hoarTransparent, frequently flat crystals forming on the snowpack when moist air settles on the surface. It forms most often during cold, clear, humid nights. Once it is blanketed by fresh fallen snow, surface hoar is one of the most critical weak layer. See also: www.snowcrystals.itEAWS glossary are present in the snowpackSnow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary on shady slopes above approximately 2400 m. However, avalanches have only rarely been triggered in these layers. Newer snowdrift accumulations, which tend to be small, are sometimes prone to triggering.
• The snowpackSnow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary structure is more favourable in the westernmost and northern parts of Lower Valais and on the northern flank of the Alps. Small snowdrift accumulations have formed locally. Below 2400 m, the snowpack has mostly frozen solid.

Conditions were sunny in the mountains.

Fresh snow

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Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, between -3 °C in the north and -5 °C in the south

Wind

Moderate to strong westerly winds.

The night will be mostly clear. In the north, it will still be quite sunny in the late morning, with clouds gathering during the course of the day. On the eastern part of the northern flank of the Alps, a few centimetres of snow will fall at times down to low altitudes. It will be mostly sunny in the west and south.

Fresh snow

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Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, between -9 °C in the north and -3 °C in the south

Wind

Moderate to strong from westerly directions, partly storm force in the high Alpine regionsAreas above approximately 3000 m (particularly glaciated areas).EAWS glossary of Valais and the Bernese Oberland

In the north, snow will fall at times during the night into Saturday and early Saturday morning. On the central and eastern parts of the northern flank of the Alps, 5 to 15 cm will fall down to low altitudes. It will be partly sunny in the afternoon. In Valais and the south, it will remain largely dry and sunny during the day. On Sunday, it will be mostly sunny in the mountains.

There will be a moderate to strong westerly wind on Saturday, which will decrease appreciably on Sunday.

In the north, the avalanche danger will increase slightly with the snowfall. Fresh snowdrift accumulations will be deposited on a weak old snowpackSnow layers deposited from earlier precipitation, prior to fresh fallen snow. Old snow layers consist of metamorphosed snow crystals.EAWS glossary and will be prone to triggering. Elsewhere the avalanche danger will hardly change.