The Swiss voice in the world since 1935
Top stories
Stay in touch with Switzerland

Storms raise avalanche risk in Swiss resorts

Road sign by a snow covered house
Overnight storms resulted in heavy snowfall in mountainous regions. SRF-SWI

Several areas of Switzerland are at elevated risk of avalanches as overnight storms left their mark. Some rail services have been disrupted, particularly in the southeastern part of the country.

The Institute for Snow and Avalanche ResearchExternal link (SLF) has warned of a high risk of spontaneous avalanches in several alpine areas in a band from the French-speaking canton Valais, through central Switzerland into eastern areas. Several areas have been issued with a level four avalanche risk assessment – rated as the second highest category.

The risk is greatest at heights between 2,000 and 2,400 metres where snowfall was also mixed with rain. Skiers are being warned not to venture off-piste in case they trigger an avalanche. On Sunday night and into Monday morning wind speeds reached hurricane force on some mountain tops.

Some rail links have been disrupted as a result, mainly between central Switzerland and the southeast corner of the country in canton Graubünden. Connections between the popular ski resorts of Andermatt and Disentis have only been running sporadically.

The stormy weather began to calm on Monday afternoon and is expected to improve over the next few days. SLF predicts that the risk of avalanches will decline as a result.

Popular Stories

News

Death of Esther Grether, owner of the Doetsch Grether Group

More

Swiss billionaire Esther Grether dies

This content was published on Esther Grether has died aged 89. Considered one of Switzerland’s leading entrepreneurs, the owner of the Basel-based Doetsch Grether Group was also a major shareholder in the Swatch Group and an art collector.

Read more: Swiss billionaire Esther Grether dies
Flag of the Swiss Wrestling Federation ceremoniously received in Mollis GL

More

Three-day Swiss wrestling festival begins

This content was published on The flag of the Swiss Wrestling Federation has been received at the start of the Swiss Wrestling and Alpine Festival in Mollis, canton Glarus.

Read more: Three-day Swiss wrestling festival begins

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR