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, especially below 2000 m and generally in the east.

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 central 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, and avalanches may be triggered in the old snowpack in these regions.
• In the inneralpine regions of Valais, in northern Valais and throughout Grisons, there are 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 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 have proven triggerable in stability tests, it is very rare for avalanches actually to be triggered. Where fresh and somewhat older snowdrift accumulations are lying on the weak snowpack, small avalanches are possible. On wind-protected shady slopes, the surface of the snowpack is faceted and loose.
• The snowpackSnow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary structure is more favourable in western and northern Lower Valais and on the northern flank of the Alps. Below 2400 m, the snowpack has mostly frozen solid.

Some snow continued to fall in the south during the night. The snowfall level was around 1000 m. During the day conditions were sunny in the mountains.

Fresh snow

In total, the following amounts fell above 1400 m between Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning:

• Main Alpine Ridge in Valais from Monte Rosa to the Nufenen Pass, Val Bedretto, Valle Maggia: 30 to 40 cm, in the Simplon region up to 50 cm
• remaining part of the Main Alpine Ridge in Valais directly along the border with Italy, remaining central part of the southern flank of the Alps: 10 to 20 cm
• Aletsch region, Main Alpine Ridge from the Nufenen pass to Upper Engadine: 5 to 10 cm
• elsewhere a few centimetres or dry

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, between +3°C in the north and -1°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 in the north, moderate to strong, otherwise light to moderate south to southeasterly

After a clear night, conditions will be sunny in the mountains during the day.

Fresh snow

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Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, around +4°C

Wind

Overnight to Saturday in the high Alpine regionsAreas above approximately 3000 m (particularly glaciated areas).EAWS glossary and in the Alpine valleys in the north, moderate, sometimes strong south to southeasterly, elsewhere light to moderate

Conditions will be sunny in the mountains. The zero-degree level will rise to 3200 m on Sunday and will be at 2600 m on Monday. Winds will be mostly light.

Avalanche danger will continue to decrease in areas with fresh snow, otherwise it will remain largely unchanged.