After the previous northern accumulation remained just under a meter, and therefore only met my standard values of 50-100 cm, it's now starting again! From central Switzerland eastwards, snow will start falling again this afternoon. The snow line will remain in the lower powder regions and the amounts will be huge in the east.
While it will probably stay at 20-50 cm in central and eastern Switzerland (with increasing amounts towards the east) and will also fall significantly less further west and south, things will really get going in the east.
At the Arlberg, another 50-70 cm could be added by Monday and another 40-50 cm should also be possible in the congested areas of Tyrol. But this northern accumulation is the kind we haven't had since 05/06, and if I were a student, I'd head towards Salzburg / Styria / Upper Austria to enjoy the 100-130 cm of fresh snow that could come there.
I'm predicting another 10-20 cm of extra potential for the east, but since the last accumulation to date only reached the "normal" amounts that I had predicted, I don't know if that will happen. Besides, the normal amounts in the east should satisfy even the maddest powder junkies.
Nothing should arrive in western Switzerland and France this time, but I don't think anyone from there will complain either. As you can see, Ullr has a heart for all freeriders north/west of the Alpine ridge and wants to make the winter unforgettable. Unfortunately, the terrible avalanche legislation in Italy must have scared him so much that he doesn't want to tempt you there at all.
In the medium term, it will stop snowing on Tuesday and become quite sunny and mild. High alpine and north-facing slopes should hold out for longer due to the dryness, so that next weekend tours can be planned in relaxed avalanche conditions and I can get back to my day job.
Powder to the people!
Text: Lars Oelmann