La Chaux-de-Fonds - Le Locle

Snowpack

Snowpack structure is unfavourable in many locations in southern Valais, Ticino and Grisons, with distinct weak layers in the middle and lower part of the snowpack that are prone to triggering. Reports of whumpfing sounds and avalanches triggered by human activity, often from a distance, continue to be received from these regions. Snowpack structure is somewhat more favourable on the northern flank of the Alps and in northern Valais, but there are weak layers deeper in the snowpack in these regions too. These may still be triggered, especially where there is little snow and at transitions from a deep to shallow snowpack.

Weather forecast to Monday

In the south, it will be mostly cloudy and a little snow may fall above approximately 1400 m. In the north, conditions will be mostly sunny in the mountains.

Fresh snow

A few centimetres may fall in the south

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, between -2 °C in the north and -4 °C in the south

Wind

Mostly light

Weather review for Sunday

It was very cloudy in the Sotto Ceneri and a little snow fell above approximately 1400 m. Otherwise, it was quite sunny in many locations in the mountains. As the day progressed, thicker clouds moved in from the west.

Fresh snow

In the Sotto Ceneri, locally 5 to 10 cm above approximately 1400 m

Temperature

At midday at 2000 m, around -2 °C

Wind

Moderate southeasterly winds at times on the Northern Alpine Ridge, otherwise mostly light

Outlook for Tuesday and Wednesday

On Tuesday, precipitation and increasing westerly winds will set in from the west. The snowfall level will be around 1500 m. By Tuesday evening, the avalanche danger will increase slightly with small amounts of fresh snow, especially in the west.

During the night to Wednesday, precipitation will intensify, especially in the west and north. The snowfall level will increase to between 1800 and 2000 m. On Wednesday, 30 to 50 cm of new fallen snow is expected in Valais and on the northern flank of the Alps, and up to 80 cm in the far west. There, the avalanche danger will increase rapidly and significantly. Appreciably less snow will fall in Ticino and Grisons. However, due to the weak snowpack, an increase in avalanche danger is also to be expected in these regions.