What does a true freerider want from her favorite? That's right - fresh pow. And what does Ullr give us? North jam and fresh powder.
After a long period of cold and dry weather, a short period of jam sets in again, finally bringing us the long-awaited replenishment. The temperatures remain low, so that the whole thing really falls as powder everywhere and you only have to worry about avalanches, wind and crowds.
The built-up surface, frost and other dry, cold remnants call for caution, but the avalanche services have a better eye on this than I do. However, I also warn of the strong wind, which should blow the cold powder God knows where above the tree line and therefore promises powder fun in the lee.
It's rattling in the central northern slopes
Which brings us to where: The main snowfall is coming down from the Bernese Oberland to the Dachstein and east of it, and should bring the most in the classic northern accumulations on the immediate northern edge. However, as the high-altitude current is blowing through the terrain quite quickly again, the precipitation could also work its way through to the main Alpine ridge. But because the westerly component is missing, I don't see much in central Grisons and Valais. Hotspots should be Salzburg/Styria and Arlberg, but in general the entire core area will be well served.
I see 40-60 cm in the core area as quite realistic by Thursday morning. In the neighboring areas of Valais, Bünden and further south on the main ridge (e.g. on the Tyrolean glaciers) it should be 20-40 cm. Upside surprises are possible, but as it will dry out again on Thursday afternoon, the window of opportunity for bonuses is small. In the hotspots, an extra 10-20 cm could accumulate, so that the amounts from today (10-20 cm have already fallen in some places) could amount to 80 cm by Thursday. However, this will only happen sporadically and possibly. So unfortunately no magic meter on the way ;)
Small encore for the weekend
In the medium term, it looks like there will be a further, slightly smaller supply for the weekend, but the models are still fluctuating like love-drunk Valentines, and I would write something about it on Friday at the earliest if it should go over 20cm.
So enough with collecting leftovers and ice climbing. Here we go again. Praise Ullr!
Powder to the people.
Text: Lars Oelmann