Powderalert 11 2023 /24 | Ullr always snows on the thickest pile!

However, there was a surprise snowfall in the north, which the oracle had seen but misjudged, as there was much more than expected. Our partners in Engelberg theoretically had the best day of the season. But as the saying goes: better the pillow under the skis than the spine outside the window. It's now back to the south, because all good things come in threes, and so the snow conditions in the south have changed from famine to paradise in the last four weeks. And it's a little cooler than during Alert 10, so there shouldn't be as much Glop™.

Alert period and areas

The alarm goes off until late Sunday evening, then it's over everywhere.

Due to a rather small-scale development, the alert only goes from the Hautes Alpes in SW France via the Maritime Alps and Piedmont to western Ticino, otherwise there are only cosmetic to scarce amounts of alerts in the south from the Upper Engadine to Trentino, depending on the oracle's crystal ball. But there may be more again and it will also reach from the Upper Engadine to Trentino. Our in-house model seems somewhat optimistic (see graphic).

The core extends from the Turin Alps to western Ticino.

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Wind

In the north foehn storm on the main ridge also stormy, in the reservoir itself quite OK, so that powder should also be found above the tree line protected from the wind if it breaks up.

Snow line

Initially lies between just under 1000 and 1300m and rises to 1100-1500 with the higher values in the Maritime Alps and lower in the inner Alps with heavy precipitation, e.g. on Monte Rosa or the Aosta Valley. Full amounts from 1400-1700m and theoretically no Glop™ above that.

The quantities

In the south-west of France there will be 40-60cm of snow, just like in the small corner of Piedmont between the Maritime Alps and the Turin Alps, in the Maritime Alps it will be 60-80cm and in the core 70-100cm of fresh snow. In Ticino this decreases rapidly and 70cm can be only 10-20km away from 20-30cm as the crow flies. As most of it will fall on Saturday night and not steadily, there should be hardly any surprises at the top.

Where should I go?

It was quite warm beforehand, so that Saturday even in the core should be more of a leisurely tour than deep freeriding in the area, because thanks to "dynamic pricing" it is too expensive with a hard base at 20-30cm for that. 😉

It starts on Saturday evening and most of it comes overnight, but it continues to snow heavily on Sunday, so that you can get into the trees above the glop line. But as they say: Springtime has power in its mouth and the early rider rides the line!

It should clear up in the south on Monday and the rest of the week should remain quite good for touring in the north. Of course, it's the middle of March and the sun has power.

Medium term

Not so much exciting stuff will happen, but nothing terrible either. Something could tend to happen again towards 20th March, including to the north, but at the moment this is still oracle noise and not a forecast. Let's hope so, because the stupidest oracle only skis the thickest!

Powder and false proverbs to the people!

Your oracle

P.S. The prediction game

is only in the text here because the oracle has to help out. But it does take place.

Poracsec station, a brand new station in south-west Ticino.

Initial value is the snow depth 269cm

Submit your tip by 12 noon Saturday

Period Until Monday 0 o'clock

Link:

https://whiterisk.ch/de/conditions/measurements/station/IMIS/VRG3

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