Long, hot summer (21 June)

The longest day of summer is hot and sunny.  There is still plenty of snow on ridges, faces and glaciers, but with the high temperatures it is soft and wet.  Many classic snow climbs are in good condition early in the morning and when there is a trail.

Winter ends with snow (31 May)

The last day of May brings cloudy conditions after a week of precipitation.  In its last report for the winter season, the Swiss Avalanche Foundation has recorded 150cm of fresh snow above 3500m in the region east of Saastal, around the Simplon, and the upper Maggia Valleys.  In the western Alps there has been 20-30cm of snow above 3500m, with the snow level dropping from around 3300m to 2700m in some areas.  There is around 50-150cm of snow at 2500m, but at this altitude the snowpack is very wet.  The avalanche hazard is category 3 (considerable).  The weather forecast is for showery conditions, with snow down to 2700m, and light southerly winds.