August 8th - Up to 100cm forecasted in Switzerland – no joke
Well at least above 3000m :D
Here are the details from SLF
National avalanche bulletin no. 164
from Wednesday, 8 August 2007, 18:30 hours
Considerable avalanche danger and heavy snowfall in the high mountains
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Current conditions
From Tuesday, 7 August, until Wednesday, 8 August, the snow line sank from initially about 3800 meters down to 3000 meters. A top of the highest summits of the Bernese Oberland, about 20 cm of snowfall, elsewhere lesser amounts. Light winds from varying directions prevailed. On Wednesday morning it was predominantly dry before intense precipitations set in at midday from southwest.
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Development
By Thursday midday, 9 August, widespread and intense precipitation is expected. Afterwards the intensity of precipitation will diminish. The snow line will descend to about 2500 meters. Above approximately 3000 meters on Friday, 10 August, generally 50 to 100 cm of snowfall is expected. Moderate northerly to northeasterly winds, in the high mountains intermittently strong winds, will prevail. In the high mountain regions, fresh snowdrift accumulations will form.
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Warnings of avalanche danger for Thursday
In the high mountain regions considerable avalanche danger (level 3) will generally prevail. The avalanche prone locations are above approximately 3000 meters, primarily on those slopes where the new snow and snowdrifts accumulates on glacial ice or old snow. Single persons can trigger avalanches. In addition, during the intense snowfall, isolated natural avalanches are possible.
In those areas where the new snow falls on bare spots, snow slides on the ground can cause a fall in exposed terrain.
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Outlook
On Friday, 10 August, on the northern flanks of the Alps and in northern and central Grisons above approximately 2500 meters, some snow will fall. In the Valais, in the Engadine and on the southern flanks of the Alps it will remain dry. The winds will decrease in strength. On Saturday, in the Valais, in the Engadine and on the southern flanks of the Alps it will be partially sunny. In the remaining regions it will be variable. Through the radiation and the daytime cycle of warming, on Friday in the Valais and on the southern flanks of the Alps, then on Saturday in the remaining regions as well, wet snowslides and avalanches can be expected. The avalanche danger will diminish as of Saturday in the Valais and on the southern flanks of the Alps, as of Sunday in the other regions as well.
