PowderAlert 4 2023/24 | Warm shower, hot tears.

At the end of the alert something is coming up again, but below 1800m it will almost certainly be a zero-sum game and below 1500m it will certainly be worse afterwards. Above 2000m, we will probably reach unimagined dimensions on the western northern slope of the Alps in mid-December.

The current comes strongly from the west, warmer and somewhat south-westerly at the beginning, then cooler from the north-west at the end.

Alert period and areas

The alert goes off until Thursday morning because it snows more or less non stop.

The area extends from the Hautes Alpes far to the east, but large quantities can only be found from the Arlberg to France, as is usual in the West.

Wind

Western storms. It's blowing all the way behind all the main ridges and into all the inner-Alpine areas. From Tuesday onwards, it will calm down as it turns to the north-west, which should at least make the extra powder that comes with the cooling very nice.

But it is also problematic because it covers the huge drifts.

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Snow line

It's a long way up, so about 70-90% of the volume will only come down above 1800-2400m.

But in most places it should be enough for at least about 30cm from 1500m (where it should snow until Tuesday evening), and below that for some cosmetics on the Glop™ that remains there. If anything remains.

From Wednesday it will snow down to 1000m and lower.

In general, it can be said that the 1800m applies to the east of Austria and the 2400m to France and the exposed western part of Switzerland.

The quantities

From the Arlberg to the lower Valais, 70-100cm, east of the Arlberg it adds up to 30-60cm in the next 3 1/2 days.

From the lower Valais to France, 100-130cm can be expected above 2000-2400m, depending on how high up in the Alps etc., and I wouldn't rule out a whopping 1.5m in sheltered accumulations. Given the long period of time, however, these are new snow totals and not snowpack growth! This will be around 2/3.

Where should I go?

It's difficult until Wednesday because there are hardly any trees that high. Possibly somewhere on the French main ridge from 1900-2000m. On Wednesday there should also be something in the trees in Valais from 1600m, although it may not be much below 2000m. Thursday it is not yet certain whether it will clear up. It will probably remain cloudy further east until Friday, with gaps in the clouds opening up from Switzerland westwards. The weekend will be warm and sunny. Just right to test the high mountain base that has been set.

Medium term

Christmas is still unclear, but various crystal balls see at least wintry movement. So: get to the Ullrschrein and pray away next weekend's concrete high.

Powder and Glop™ to the people!

YourOracle

Prediction game #4: Core zone station "Glacier de Saleina (2800m)"

The snow depth prediction game no. 4 takes place at the station "Glacier de Saleina (2800m)" from Sunday, 10th Dec 22:30 to 14th Dec 08:00. The initial value of the snow depth at the station "Glacier de Saleina (2800m)" is 211cm (10 Dec 22:30).

Post your fresh snow tip as a comment below by Monday, 11 December at 22:00! Reminder: Tip game rules, tip player reminder by email.

Interim result! All the rain has led to astronomically bad tips...

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