Full avalanche bulletin (to print) Page 1/5

Avalanche bulletin for Monday, 22 January 2018 22.1.2018, 07:46

As a consequence of fresh snow and warming a very high

avalanche danger will be encountered over a wide area
Edition: 22.1.2018, 08:00 / Next update: 22.1.2018, 17:00

Avalanche danger
updated on 22.1.2018, 08:00

region A Level 5, very high

Fresh snow and snow drifts, old snow

Avalanche prone locations
Danger description
The fresh snow and snow drift accumulations are prone
to triggering. A large number of natural avalanches are to
be expected. They can be triggered in deep layers and
reach very large size. The avalanches can reach a very
long way. Exposed settlements and transportation routes
are endangered in the majority of cases. Extensive
safety measures are recommended. Without question, it
is inadvisable to engage in snow sport activities outside
marked and open pistes.

Wet and full-depth avalanches

As a consequence of the rain wet avalanches are to be expected. More frequent full-
depth avalanches are to be expected, including quite large ones. This applies in all
aspects below approximately 2200 m.

WSL Institute for Snow and

Danger levels 1 low 2 moderate 3 consider. 4 high 5 very high Avalanche Research SLF
www.slf.ch
Full avalanche bulletin (to print) Page 2/5
Avalanche bulletin for Monday, 22 January 2018 22.1.2018, 07:46

region B Level 4, high

Fresh snow and snow drifts

Avalanche prone locations
Danger description
The fresh snow and snow drift accumulations are prone
to triggering. Avalanches can be released very easily.
Medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large natural
avalanches are to be expected. Exposed parts of
transportation routes are endangered. Safety measures
are to be reviewed. The conditions are unfavourable for
snow sport activities outside marked and open pistes.

Wet and full-depth avalanches

As a consequence of the rain a large number of medium-sized and, in isolated cases,
large full-depth and wet avalanches are to be expected. This applies in all aspects below
approximately 2000 m.

region C Level 4, high

Fresh snow and snow drifts, old snow

Avalanche prone locations
Danger description
The fresh snow and snow drift accumulations are prone
to triggering. Avalanches can be released very easily.
Medium-sized and, in isolated cases, large natural
avalanches are to be expected. Exposed parts of
transportation routes are endangered. Safety measures
are to be reviewed. The conditions are unfavourable for
snow sport activities outside marked and open pistes.

Full-depth avalanches
More frequent full-depth avalanches are to be expected, including quite large ones. This
applies in all aspects below approximately 2200 m. Caution is to be exercised in areas
with glide cracks. Slides are to be expected on cut slopes.

WSL Institute for Snow and

Danger levels 1 low 2 moderate 3 consider. 4 high 5 very high Avalanche Research SLF
www.slf.ch
Full avalanche bulletin (to print) Page 3/5
Avalanche bulletin for Monday, 22 January 2018 22.1.2018, 07:46

region D Level 4, high

Fresh snow and snow drifts, old snow

Avalanche prone locations
Danger description
The danger exists primarily in alpine snow sports terrain.
The fresh snow and snow drift accumulations are
prone to triggering. Avalanches can be released very
easily. Small and medium-sized natural avalanches
are to be expected. They can penetrate deep layers
and reach large size in isolated cases. Exposed parts
of transportation routes can be endangered. Snow
sport activities outside marked and open pistes call for
extensive experience in the assessment of avalanche
danger and great restraint.

Full-depth avalanches
Full-depth avalanches are to be expected. This applies in all aspects below
approximately 2200 m. Caution is to be exercised in areas with glide cracks. Slides are to
be expected on cut slopes.

region E Level 3, considerable

Fresh snow and snow drifts, old snow

Avalanche prone locations
Danger description
The fresh snow and snow drift accumulations are prone
to triggering. Avalanches can be released, even by a
single winter sport participant or triggered naturally. They
can penetrate deep layers and reach dangerously large
size. Snow sport activities outside marked and open
pistes call for experience in the assessment of avalanche
danger and caution.

Full-depth avalanches
Individual full-depth avalanches are possible. This applies in all aspects below
approximately 2200 m. Caution is to be exercised in areas with glide cracks.

region F Level 3, considerable

Wet and full-depth avalanches

Avalanche prone locations Danger description
Intensive rain to high altitudes. In all aspects mostly
small full-depth avalanches and wet snow slides are to
be expected.

WSL Institute for Snow and

Danger levels 1 low 2 moderate 3 consider. 4 high 5 very high Avalanche Research SLF
www.slf.ch
Full avalanche bulletin (to print) Page 4/5
Avalanche bulletin for Monday, 22 January 2018 22.1.2018, 07:46

Snowpack and weather

updated on 21.1.2018, 17:00

Snowpack
Between Monday, 15 January, and Sunday, 21 January, there was 100 to 200 cm of fresh snow registered over wide
ranging areas in the Swiss Alps; less snowfall was registered in southern regions. As a result of storm-strength winds,
deep and thick layers of snowdrift were formed. Both fresh snow and freshly formed snowdrift accumulations were in
places deposited on top of a weak layer riddled with faceted snow crystals which is prone to triggering, particularly
at forest edges and in the vicinity of wooded zones. The avalanche danger will increase still further as a result of the
intensive precipitation and the ascending snowfall level, particularly strikingly in the Valais and in northern regions.
Increasingly frequent large-sized avalanches can be expected, even very large avalanches are possible.
The snow depths are above average for this juncture of the season, sometimes to a slight amount, sometimes to a far
greater greater extent than average. In the southern Valais, in northern Grisons and in the northern part of the Lower
Engadine the snow depths are approaching the extreme snow depths measured at the end of February 1999. Weak layers
in the lowermost part of the snow cover in northern and western regions are covered over with heavy, deep layers of
fresher snow; nevertheless, in case of large-sized avalanche releases it cannot be ruled out that parts of the old snowpack
will be swept along. In central Grisons, in the Engadine and in the southern valleys of Grisons the snowpack is weaker,
and avalanches fracturing from the ground-level layers of the snowpack can be expected.

Observed weather on Sunday, 21.01.2018

Following a short interim when precipitation stopped on Saturday, it subsequently snowed heavily and at times intensively
all of Saturday night in the Valais and in northern regions. The snowfall level in western regions ascended for a short
interim to 2000 m, in eastern regions to 1600 m. In inneralpine and southern regions the snowfall level was at 1000 m.
During the course of the day the snowfall persisted without interruption in western regions, in eastern regions it slackened
off somewhat. Only in the furthermost southern regions was it partly sunny.
Fresh snow
Between Saturday evening and Sunday evening, above 1600 to 2000 m:
· valleys of Visp, Simplon region, southern Gotthard region, eastern sector of the northern flank of the Alps, Grisons not
including the southern valleys: 40 to 60 cm;
· remaining regions of the northern Alpine Ridge, of the Valais and of the northern part of Ticino, Moesano: 30 to 40 cm;
· other regions of Switzerland: 15 to 30 cm; in the Jura region and in Sotto Ceneri maximum 15 cm.
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, -4 °C in western and southern regions and -8 °C in eastern regions.
Wind
Winds were blowing at strong to storm velocity from the northwest. In southern regions, strong velocity northerly winds
arose during the course of the day.

Current avalanche bulletin Feedback to avalanche warners Additional specialized federal departments
Internet www.slf.ch (Avalanche released? Bulletin inaccurate?) MeteoSwiss (weather) / www.meteoswiss.ch –
App White Risk Questionnaire www.slf.ch Alpine weather report: tel. 0900 162 138 (CHF 1.20/min., in German) WSL Institute for Snow and
(iPhone, Android) E-Mail lwp@slf.ch FOEN (flood, forest fire) / www.bafu.admin.ch Avalanche Research SLF
Toll-free phone number 0800 800 187 SED (Earthquakes) / www.seismo.ethz.ch www.slf.ch
Full avalanche bulletin (to print) Page 5/5
Avalanche bulletin for Monday, 22 January 2018 22.1.2018, 07:46

Weather forecast through Monday, 22.01.2018

On Sunday night the precipitation is expected to intensify once again, precipitation will be persistent and heavy. As a result
of an arriving warm front, the snowfall level will ascend to between 1300 and 1800 m in northern regions and in the Valais.
In western regions the snowfall level could ascend to 2200 m on Monday morning. In Grisons and in the southern regions,
the snowfall level will be at 1000 m.
Fresh snow
Between Sunday evening and Monday evening, above 2000 m:
· furthermost western part of Lower Valais, northern Valais, northern flank of the Alps, Grisons north of the Rhine: 80 to
120 cm;
· remaining regions of the Valais: 60 to 80 cm;
· remaining regions of northern Grisons and of the Gotthard region, northern part of Lower Engadine: 40 to 60 cm;
· remaining regions of central Grisons and of the Engadine, Val Müstair: 20 to 40 cm; further to the south, less; or else it
will remain dry.
Temperature
At midday at 2000 m, between 0 °C in northern regions and -2 °C in southern regions.
Wind
Winds will be blowing at strong to storm velocity from westerly to northwesterly directions.

Outlook through Wednesday, 24.01.2018

On Monday night, a small amount of additional snowfall is anticipated above approximately 1400 m over widespread
areas, most of which will fall in the central and eastern sectors of the northern flank of the Alps. In the early morning hours
the snowfall will come to an end and it will become partly sunny during the course of the day from the west. In southern
regions it will be predominantly sunny. At high altitudes a strong-velocity northerly wind will be blowing. As of Wednesday
it will become predominantly sunny in the mountains. The danger of naturally triggered avalanches will diminish during
the course of the day on Tuesday. For backcountry skiing and freeriding tours, the situation away from secured ski runs
is expected to remain extremely critical. South of the Main Alpine Ridge it will be mostly sunny and the avalanche danger
levels are expected to decrease.

Current avalanche bulletin Feedback to avalanche warners Additional specialized federal departments
Internet www.slf.ch (Avalanche released? Bulletin inaccurate?) MeteoSwiss (weather) / www.meteoswiss.ch –
App White Risk Questionnaire www.slf.ch Alpine weather report: tel. 0900 162 138 (CHF 1.20/min., in German) WSL Institute for Snow and
(iPhone, Android) E-Mail lwp@slf.ch FOEN (flood, forest fire) / www.bafu.admin.ch Avalanche Research SLF
Toll-free phone number 0800 800 187 SED (Earthquakes) / www.seismo.ethz.ch www.slf.ch