Michael Steger

There is a magic in every beginning, and winter has got off to a magical start.

There is no corresponding translation for the Italian term "la foliage": it describes the changing color of the leaves in autumn. In recent days or even weeks, the colorful foliage in the light-flooded treetops and under a blue sky has painted a picture-book Indian summer. Together, we will find out why the leaves are changing color, what this has to do with climate change and what the term "climate greening" means. Of course, we'll also take a look at further weather developments, which predict some snowfall at the end of the forecast period.

The oracle has spoken and announced the temporary start of winter in the Alps. Yesterday was a powder day with bright sunshine, even though the north-westerly wind was blowing freshly around our ears in the summit regions. As indicated in the last WeatherBlog, the blocking high-pressure situation has disappeared and made way for westerly and north-westerly currents. Autumn storm "Joshua" also played a role in this. One of the strongest hurricanes since records began is raging in the Caribbean. "Melissa" has hit Jamaica and is moving on towards Cuba.

Autumn is showing its best side and with the mountain peaks already covered in sugar, the first winter feelings are starting to set in. The current fantastic weather and the prospect of snow next week motivate us to write our first WeatherBlog.

Still no sign of summer break in Alaska. Just as winter is making a comeback in the Alps, it’s doing the same in Alaska. Despite being much farther north, Alaska is beginning to thaw—slowly. Spring is usually the time to "claim your spine" in the Chugach Mountains, but the weather windows have been few and far between, especially on the southern slopes. Since the last SnowChase, the weather simply hasn’t settled down.

Before we head into summer break, we’re checking in one last time with an update on the heavy snowfalls sweeping across Alaska. Since last Thursday, the snow has been coming down steadily—and there’s more on the way through Monday. For everyone in our community chasing the dream of "Back into the Wild" or those iconic ski film vibes, here’s a quick look at what the weather has in store over the next few days.

After the international kick-off, the SnowChase returns to Europe. The Alps reported their tenth PowderAlert at the beginning of the week - now it's Northern Norway's turn in the middle of the week. It's getting white around Narvik.

After its visit in the Caucasus last week, we are now accompanying the same low pressure area on its journey eastwards. It is now affecting parts of the mighty Hindu Kush and Karakoram mountain ranges. It is now reaching the Kashmir region, which is covered by PG weather since the last update. Just like the Caucasus, Kashmir is geopolitically extremely sensitive: Pakistan and India have been fighting over the political region of Kashmir for a long time. The mountains around Kashmir are extremely interesting terrain for both trekking in summer and freeriding in winter.

Between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea stretches the 1,100 km long Caucasus - a mountain range up to 5,000 m high that acts as a natural border between Russia and the Middle East. At the heart of this mountain range lies Georgia - a geopolitically fractured country with a fascinating culture and breathtaking mountain landscapes. The Caucasus has long been a legendary freeride and ski touring area, hosts the FWT and is once more receiving a good amount of fresh snowfall.

We're not complaining any more, because the recent snowfalls have provided surprisingly good conditions, especially on the southern slopes of the Alps. The Alps are currently enjoying perfect weather thanks to blocking high pressure over Central Europe. The conditions for ski tours are quite good where there is snow and especially where it has recently snowed and should be taken advantage of. The outlook is not clearly promising, but a comeback of winter is quite possible in connection with a sudden stratospheric warming. So there is hope, and as long as there is hope, let's hold on to it.