# Alpine Travel Disrupted as Storm Benjamin Unleashes Snowfall Across Switzerland
A powerful storm system, dubbed Benjamin, continues to impact switzerland, bringing heavy precipitation in the form of snow to the Alps and causing widespread disruption to travel. Several key mountain passes are currently closed, and further meaningful snowfall is anticipated throughout the weekend, notably on the northern slopes.
The storm, which initially brought heavy thunderstorms and rainfall, transitioned to snowfall at higher elevations. According to reports, the central Alpine passes are experiencing the most significant impacts.
Pass Closures and travel Warnings
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A number of critical transportation routes are currently impassable due to accumulated snow.These include:
- Gotthard Pass (2108m)
- Open Pass (2429m)
- Susten Pass (2234m)
- Grimsel Pass (2164m)
- Novena Pass (2478m)
- San Bernardino pass (2065m)
- Sanetsch Pass (2252m)
- Grosser St. Bernhard Pass (2469m)
- Chasseral Pass (1502m)
- Passo Glaubebüelen (1611m)
- Ächerlipass (1457m)
Authorities advise motorists to check the latest conditions before traveling, with the TCS website providing up-to-date data on pass closures and road conditions. While some passes may reopen during the day, conditions remain highly variable.
Did you know? – Switzerland has over 650 mountain passes, many of which are vital for transportation, especially during winter. Their closure considerably impacts regional connectivity.
Weekend Snowfall Forecast
The snowfall is expected to intensify over the coming days. On Friday, the snow line is situated between 1000 and 1200 meters on the northern side of the Alps and in Valais, with no further rainfall anticipated. However, Meteonews reports that Ticino and the eastern Alps will remain dry.
Saturday will see the snow level drop further, possibly falling below 1000 meters. Snowfall will again be concentrated on the northern slopes of the Alps and in Valais, with even lower altitudes potentially receiving a few centimeters of accumulation. MeteoSwiss forecasts up to 20 centimeters of new snow in the Bernese Oberland.
Sunday is expected to bring persistent snowfall to the northern slopes of the Alps and the north of Grisons, with accumulations of 15-20 centimeters above 1500 meters.
Pro tip: – Before traveling in mountainous regions during winter, always check multiple weather sources and road conditions. Flexibility in your travel plans is key.
Avalanche Risk and Safety Precautions
Storm Benjamin’s lingering effects, combined with strong winds, are increasing the risk of avalanches in mountainous regions. those venturing into the backcountry are urged to exercise extreme caution and choose slopes that are not overly steep. The SLF in Davos will provide detailed avalanche bulletins.
Why did Storm Benjamin disrupt travel in Switzerland? Storm Benjamin brought heavy snowfall to the Swiss Alps,making numerous mountain passes impassable and creating dangerous avalanche conditions.
Who was affected? Motorists, travelers, and residents in mountainous regions of Switzerland were affected by the storm. Transportation services and local economies reliant on tourism also experienced disruption.
What specifically happened? The storm initially brought rain and thunderstorms, then transitioned to heavy snowfall, particularly on the northern slopes of the Alps.This led to the closure of eleven major mountain passes and increased avalanche risk.
