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, the fresh and drifted snow that fell over Christmas 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. In the last few days, several avalanches, some of them large, have been triggered by human activity. Avalanches continue to be triggerable 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. Although these weak layers have proven triggerable in stability tests, it is very rare for avalanches actually to be triggered. Small avalanches are possible where snowdrift accumulations from the last few days are lying on the weak snowpack. 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 the far west 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.

After a clear night, conditions were sunny and mild in the mountains.

Fresh snow

-

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, around +5°C

Wind

During the night to Saturday in Valais and on the northern Alpine ridge, moderate to strong at times, otherwise light to moderate southeasterly

After a clear night, conditions will be sunny and mild in the mountains.

Fresh snow

-

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, around +6 °C

Wind

Moderate during the night to Sunday at high altitudes, light to moderate northeasterly to easterly during the day

Monday

Conditions will be sunny in the mountains. The zero-degree level will fall to 2600 m. Winds will be mostly light. Avalanche risk will decrease only slowly.

Tuesday

Conditions will be sunny in the mountains. The zero-degree level will fall to around 1000 m. The northerly wind will freshen and become moderate to strong. With fresh snow drift accumulations, avalanche danger will increase somewhat, especially on the Upper Valais Main Alpine Ridge and in Ticino.