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Saas high · Valais · Switzerland

Mattmark

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Regional avalanche bulletin • Wednesday 21 October

3=
Considerable Mattmark region
N, NE, E, W, NW
above 2800m

Danger level 3 considerable. Read the bulletin carefully.

SLF · updated 17:00

Read the full Mattmark bulletin →

Avalanche problems

Dry avalanches · all day
Dry snow level 3 New snow + Persistent weak layers 3=
N, NE, E, W, NW
above 2800m
Over a wide area 50 to 70 cm of snow will fall on Wednesday above approximately 2800 m. The new snow will be deposited on the unfavourable surface of an Snow layers deposited from earlier precipitation, prior to fresh fallen snow. Old snow layers consist of metamorphosed snow crystals.EAWS glossary in particular on steep shady slopes in Areas above approximately 3000 m (particularly glaciated areas).EAWS glossary. Persons can release avalanches, including large ones. Natural avalanches are possible. The current avalanche situation calls for experience in the assessment of avalanche danger. The Avalanche Warning Service currently has only a small amount of information that has been collected in the field, so that the avalanche danger should be investigated especially thoroughly in the relevant locality.
Field notes

New snow

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.

Persistent weak layers

Persistent 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 are very challenging to recognise. Distinctive noise (resembling a “whumpf” sound) occurring when a weak layer beneath a slab collapses. The air of the weak layer is forced outside the snowpack, with the resulting whumpf sound being heard. The sound usually indicates an unstable situation and can be accompanied by surface cracking. A whumpf is a clear avalanche alert.EAWS glossary sounds and shooting cracks are typical when present, but you can have a serious weak layer with no warning signs at the surface. Knowledge of how the Snow deposited on the ground in a multiplicity of layers.EAWS glossary has evolved is essential. SLF's travel advice is direct: travel conservatively, avoid terrain where the consequences of being caught are large, and treat the history of weather and snow as more important than what you can see today. Read the full bulletin.

Source: SLF Avalanche Bulletin Interpretation Guide

Avalanche danger • Mattmark region • 2025/26

  • No bulletin
  • Low
  • Moderate
  • Considerable
  • High

About this resort

Notes
reservoir and dam above Saas-Almagell, road closed in winter