Like a play, the upcoming snowfall is divided into several acts that actually belong together, as there are only minimal breaks between the precipitation. In the first act, director Ullr's production focuses primarily on the west and south-east, but there is also some flaking in between. This alert is valid until Thursday evening. The areas: There will probably be alerts in the west from the Hautes Alpes to northern Valais and in the south-east from the Dolomites to Slovenia, but most of them will be in the west. A few flakes are also likely to fall between the alert areas. Snow line and wind: It will stay cold this time and most of it will probably fall as powder from 1000 m upwards. Hardly any glop (tm) that will make life difficult for us. So thank goodness it's not the equivalent of modern theater, where it's considered proper to annoy or disturb the audience. The westerly and later north-westerly winds will only blow stronger at the beginning and then probably remain quite powder-friendly, even in the high Alps. The amounts: In the western core from France to the northern and western Valais, 35-50 cm will probably arrive by Thursday evening, whereby the accumulation bonus here can occasionally reach 60 or 70 cm. In between, 15-30 cm is likely on both sides of the Alps and may just miss the alarm. There is a high uncertainty factor in the southeast, as it depends on how a small marginal low develops. The models are currently predicting 20-40c m, but this can also fall below the alert amounts with a small change to more north or become more with changes to the marginal low, i.e. +/- 10-20 cm (which then means the possibility of 0-60 cm!), which does not help anyone who wants to plan a trip.
Where should I go? Clearly the west, because the crowds are quite safe there and you are in the right area for the second act, where the models still differ as to whether Ullr will then also provide full theaters in the south or whether the spectacle will only take place in the west again. I would look for trees with a lift and potential upwards, as the breaks in the snowfall will hardly allow any big undertakings further up, but you can possibly react spontaneously, or you can plan for tours in the forest. There won't be much to do at the top until Sunday if you want to tour. In the medium term, Ullr will continue to stage the three-flake opera in wintry temperatures. Powder to the people! Your Oracle
