Ticino Sopraceneri
Obere Maggiatäler
Avalanche Problems
New snow
3=
Field notes
Easy to spot - the snow is fresh. Look at recent avalanche activity in similar terrain, and pay attention to how much new snow has fallen in the last three days. Critical loading depends on temperature, wind, and what was on the surface before the storm. SLF advises waiting until the Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary has had time to bond before committing to steep terrain in fresh snow.
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
Suhday's new and drifted snow is mostly quite well bonded to the old snow surface. In the regions exposed to the most precipitation, avalanches can be triggered, mainly within the new and drifted snow. Isolated avalanches can also be triggered in the near-ground Snow layers deposited from earlier precipitation, prior to fresh fallen snow. Old snow layers consist of metamorphosed snow crystals.EAWS glossary. This is particularly the case on northern slopes above approximately 2800 m and in the Areas above approximately 3000 m (particularly glaciated areas).EAWS glossary in general.
As a result of sunshine and warming temperatures during the day, gliding avalanches and loose snow avalanches are to be expected.
Weather review for Sunday
There was widespread precipitation. The snowfall level in the south was around 2400 m, while in the north it dropped from 2400 m to around 2000 m.
Fresh snow
From Saturday evening to Sunday midday above approximately 2800 m:
- extreme west of Lower Valais, northern Lower Valais, central part of the southern flank of the Alps, Avers, Val Bregaglia to the Bernina region: 10 to 20 cm, locally up to 30 cm
- elsewhere a widespread 5 to 10 cm
Temperature
Falling; at midday at 2000 m between 0 °C in the northwest and +5 °C in the south
Wind
Mostly moderate southwesterly
Weather forecast to Monday
Widespread precipitation will continue into the night to Monday. The snowfall level will drop to around 1500 m in the north and around 2000 m in the south. It will be increasingly sunny during the day.
Fresh snow
From Sunday midday to Monday morning, in the north above approximately 2500 m and in the south above approximately 2800 m:
- northern Alpine ridge east of the Grimsel Pass, Grisons, Val Blenio: 15 to 30 cm
- elsewhere a widespread 5 to 15 cm
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, around -1 °C in the north and +4 °C in the south
Wind
Strong during the night to Monday in the south and generally at high altitudes, elsewhere light to moderate northwesterly
Outlook
Tuesday and Wednesday will be mostly sunny and very mild. The zero-degree level will be at 3800 m. The danger of dry avalanches will decrease. On Tuesday in particular, loose snow avalanches and gliding avalanches are to be expected in regions where fresh snow has fallen.