PowderAlert 14 2016/17 | The third dump in a week

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Ullr's success story continues

Wow. It looks like Ullr is going to get its act together and let winter begin in early March. At least in the northwest (with over a meter from the last two alarms) and now also in the south - well, at least parts of the south. And as I've just come from climbing in Ticino, I can tell you: it's sorely needed there too.

Snow line:

It will start snowing at around 1000-1400m depending on the region and continue to drop everywhere until Sunday. In inner Alpine valleys in the direction of Simplon/Monte Rosa/Ticino, this may already happen on Saturday during the main precipitation. From around 1400-1600m there should be good powder.

Wind:

There are warnings from the weather services about a heavy foehn storm outside. That probably says it all. However, this applies more to the north.

In the congested areas of the south, it will also be uncomfortable at the top, but not quite as apocalyptic. In the trees and in sheltered areas of the congestion, it shouldn't be as excessive. But it will be enough for heavy drifts, so from Monday onwards, as always, you should only go very carefully above the tree line.

The amounts:

By Sunday, there may be amounts of around 30cm in the entire Southern Alps, but the core areas are from Gran Paradiso to Ticino and in the southeast in Slovenia/Italy/Carinthia.

From Gran Paradiso to Ticino, 50-70cm should fall widely by Sunday evening. In the area between Monte Rosa and western Ticino, it will almost certainly be 70-100cm in total. And I can also imagine 120cm in one or two of the reservoirs. However, this will only be the sum of both days. I'm not expecting more snow cover than 80-90cm at the deepest measuring stations, but I hope to be wrong about the lower end. In the core in the south-east, you can expect 30-50cm.

Where is the journey going?:

On Saturday, you can take it easy and then plan a tour into the south-western larch forest from midday/early afternoon. Wherever there was a small base, there should already be enough to have fun (around 50cm). On Sunday you can then draw on the full potential in the western core. I think you can even have some real fun in the trees then. On Monday, the wind will probably shift to the north and you can look up to the higher ski resorts in the region. Or tackle a relaxed tour further up.

Mid-term:

Ullr apparently wants to make its presence felt in March at least, as there are some indications of an alarm in the north from Tuesday. Maybe even a real northern storm again! But after the massive foehn over the next few days, we'll only be partially happy, because there won't be that much left in the north. What happens after that is only very vague, even in the oracle sphere, but maybe after warmth and calm weather there will be another powder greeting next weekend. At least it looks a lot better than in so many months of this permanent autumn so far.

Powder to the people!

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