PowderAlert 2 2016/17 | Ullr for president

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Here we go again. At last.

Unlike Trump as president, Ullr is a god of facts and feel-good, so I'm afraid I'll have to pass on the #EightMeterSnow clickbait hashtag. But at least there's now a widely drivable alarm. So wax your skis, study the ski tour maps or hope for ski resorts to open earlier. It has already started to snow, but the fun only lasts until the weekend and unfortunately not until 2020 ;)

The alert amounts apply until Saturday morning, but you can probably drive on Friday if you know your way around.

The core areas: The entire western Alps north slope, but with a core from France to the lower Valais. Snow should also fall further east, although not as much from the Arlberg onwards. As the base is already there, you should also be able to ski.

The snow line should remain powder-friendly and always be below 1000-1200m, in places even down to the very bottom. The full amounts can therefore be expected from 1200-1400m. Saturday will be warmer with sunny temperatures, but it should last until the afternoon.

The wind should also be limited in the high mountains, so that something may remain on the glaciers. The inflow is more westerly than north-westerly, so that in France or the lower Valais the whole thing will be pushed deeper to the main ridge.

The amounts: The most important thing, Ullr's election gifts to his clientele: In the core from France to the lower Valais I see a good 60-90cm and that possibly one or two potholes will break the magic meter somewhere. From the northern Valais to the Arlberg it should still be 50-70cm, so with a base it should be enough for powdering. From North Tyrol to the east, it will decrease quickly and anything between 20 and 40cm can happen, although I would expect the higher values to be in the west.

Where should I go?

The areas are clear, now it's all about fine-tuning: On Friday, powder hunters should hang out in their favorite meadows (there is no base in the forest yet) from 1200m upwards, preferably in the core areas. Around 15-35cm (depending on the region and from west to east, in the west it's more likely to be through) will fall on Friday, so be prepared for the full amounts not to be there in the morning. As it will tear up on Saturday, you should of course not only be very WATCH OUT and read the bulletins if it warms up at the same time, but also head north if you want to go higher. Saturday should also be possible in alpine terrain if you drive carefully. It will probably snow again on Sunday, although it's not clear at what altitude. If driving, then higher meadows at the tree line again.

Medium-term: Probably no more alerts for now, but also no Sahara melt like the last few years. So November normality for once.