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PowderAlert 6 2020/21 | Help a UFO - an unknown north jam object!

Lots of snow in the north on a problematic basis

by Lars Oelmann 01/11/2021
Everyone rubs their eyes in amazement - what is this? Bright colors on the north side of the Alps? Is it a UFO, is it a Marvel superhero? No, it's a northern traffic jam!

And snow in the Black Forest again? Ullr has a heart for all those who think #tourathome is the hashtag of winter and are looking for the fluffy stuff at home.

However, the combo of lots of fresh snow and weak snow cover won't make us very happy.

The signs have been pointing to winter for some time now. Compared to the last few winters, it's quite cold and everyone in the south is looking forward to preserved powder. In the north, the only thing missing is snow so that we can pursue Corona-compliant leisure activities in the fresh air and become the bad boy or girl of the feuilleton. At the moment, everyone seems to have an opinion on the topic of local recreation in the snow, even if they only send Twitter messages outside the door!

Alert period and areas

It's snowing from northern France to the Dachstein. East of there, even in the long alert period from Tuesday to Friday morning, hardly any alert amounts come together.

The core, however, is clearly from northern France to the Arlberg, with the very highest amounts from central Switzerland to northern Valais.

Wind

The current is strong and it rattles in the rafters. Full amounts up to the Valais and the main ridge. Storms in the mountains and gale-force gusts at the top. In the foothills of the Alps, depending on the guardrail effect etc., it also gets pretty rough.

Snowfall limit

Ullr stays true to the season's motto and dances the limbo. From the very bottom, all the time, east of the Arlberg, to 800-1000 in the foothills of the Alps in central Switzerland and up to 1200m in the very west of France. In the inner Alps, e.g. in Valais, always significantly lower or as far as the Rhone Valley.

The amounts

Widespread 60-90cm of fresh snow from France to the Arlberg. On the Arlberg more on the lower edge than on the upper edge. In the core, which in some models extends as far as France (but in most models only as far as the northern Valais), it will be 90-120cm and I don't rule out 150cm in certain potholes, as it accumulates long and hard, which is often underestimated by the models.

East of the Arlberg it will be more than cosmetic, but there won't be more than 25-50cm. That's not really much without a base.

Bonus for all Swabians: in the Black Forest, almost half a meter (or a little more? ) is also coming by the weekend and that's after several model runs of dithering whether it will rain to the summit or not (no, it will stay snow)!

Where should I go?

Well, nowhere on Tuesday, because that's when it starts. Trees and even meadows are probably not yet open in many places in the north. Wednesday tentatively on the meadows below the tree line and Thursday also in the trees of the core. Towards Friday it could clear up in the afternoon and on Saturday it should be at least partly sunny, but do you want to go above the tree line in these conditions with the old snow problem? I don't know. Possibly in the ski area, where everything was already plowed up, but I'd be careful there too. It's going to be dangerous! First fat north dump, old snow problem and powder lust = read the LLBs and stay cool.

In the east, I'd go to the meadow on Thursday at the earliest if you don't have time every day anyway.

Medium term

The whole thing is already quite uncertain on Friday/Saturday, but on Sunday many models will make another disturbance and it should then continue cool and often wet. At least there is no warm high in sight. Praise Ullr.

Powder to the people, also to the oracle and the 99 Conditions Reporters in the Black Forest!

Snow height prediction game

The prediction game will take place at the "Gandegg" station from 11.1. to 15.1. 12:00 noon: Write your tip by Tuesday, 12.1. 21:00 either here as a comment, or in the Forum.

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