Ticino Sopraceneri
Untere Maggiatäler
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.
Snowpack & Weather
Snowpack
On northern slopes, the snowline is around 2000 m and on southern slopes between 2400 m and 2800 m. At high altitudes, there are patches of continuous Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary in Usually a steep, elongated, eroded trench; typically prone to snowdrift accumulation.EAWS glossary and Rounded or elongated concavity; typically tending to accumulate snowdrift.EAWS glossary on shady slopes. The snow is significantly deeper above 2800 m.
On Saturday, precipitation set in in the south. Conditions had previously been generally dry and sunny in the mountains over the last two weeks. While the snow had largely melted on steep south-facing slopes at high altitudes over this period, on shady slopes and generally in the Areas above approximately 3000 m (particularly glaciated areas).EAWS glossary, the Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary had begun to become faceted. Distinct 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 had formed. Avalanches can easily be triggered where fresh and drifted snow falls on this snowpack.
Outlook
A further 5 to 20 cm of snow will fall above 1000 m in the north by the night to Tuesday with sometimes strong north to northeasterly winds. On Tuesday and Wednesday, conditions will be mostly sunny with zero-degree levels between 1000 m and 1400 m. The wind will be light to moderate and shift from northeast to southwest on Wednesday.
Avalanche risk will hardly change on Tuesday and will decrease slowly on Wednesday.