Untere Maggiatäler

There is appreciably less snow than usual at this time of year in most regions and snow conditions for ski touring are very poor in many places. Only in northern Lower Valais are snow depths approaching average.

The snowpackSnow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary structure varies from region to region:

• On the Main Alpine Ridge in Valais and on the southern flank of the Alps, fresh and drifted snow has been deposited 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. It is possible for avalanches to be triggered in the old snowpack in these regions.
• In southern Lower Valais, Upper Valais, on the southern flank of the Alps 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. Although these weak layers could be triggered in stability tests, it was very rare for avalanches to be triggered. Where fresh and somewhat older wind slabs lie on the weak snowpack, small avalanches are possible.
• The snowpackSnow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary structure is more favourable in the extreme west of Lower Valais and northern Lower Valais and on the northern flank of the Alps. Below 2400 m, the snowpack has mostly frozen solid.

It was very cloudy in the south and on the Main Alpine Ridge in Valais. Some snow fell above 1000 m. Elsewhere, it was mostly sunny in the mountains.

Fresh snow

The following amounts of snow fell above 1400 m by Thursday afternoon:

• Main Alpine Ridge in Valais from the Monte Rosa to the Nufenen Pass, Val Bedretto, Valle Maggia: 15 to 30 cm
• Remaining central part of the Main Alpine Ridge in Valais directly along the border with Italy, remaining central part of the southern flank of the Alps, Upper Engadine, Val Bregaglia, Val Poschiavo, Aletsch region: 5 to 15 cm
• Elsewhere: fewer centimetres or dry.

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, around -3 °C.

Wind

Southeasterly wind:

• Moderate at times in Grisons and on the southern flank of the Alps at high altitudes
• Elsewhere, strong during the night, storm-force in the high Alpine regionsAreas above approximately 3000 m (particularly glaciated areas).EAWS glossary, mostly moderate during the day

Some snow will continue to fall in the south during the night. The snowfall level will be around 1000 m. During the day it will be sunny in the mountains.

Fresh snow

Until Friday morning:

• Monte Rosa to the Simplon region: 10 to 20 cm
• Southern Goms, Valle Maggia: 5 to 10 cm
• Elsewhere less or dry

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, between +2 °C in the north and -2 °C in the south

Wind

During the night to Friday in the high Alpine regionsAreas above approximately 3000 m (particularly glaciated areas).EAWS glossary and in the Alpine valleys of the north, there will be a moderate south to southeasterly wind. Otherwise, the wind will be mostly light.

Conditions will be sunny in the mountains. The zero-degree level will increase to 3000 m. The wind will be mostly light.

The avalanche danger will decrease slowly in areas with new fallen snow, otherwise it will remain largely unchanged.