PowderAlert 7/2012 | Carpe Diem, Carpe Pulveris.

Happy Christmas to all powderhounds! Unfortunately Ullr wasn't in the mood for presents over the festive period, but finally there's some snow again. Unfortunately, (or thankfully, depending on the weather) once again in the west. The west drift is alive and kicking and is now providing us with record snowfall after record heat, but at least with something useful above 1200-1500m. However, the full amounts will only be reached above 1500 m, as the snow line is likely to fluctuate between 1000 and 1500 m. Which areas will be blessed? As so often this and last winter, the snowfall will extend from the Arlberg to the Hautes Alpes in France, with all the western slopes likely to receive the most. The whole thing is divided into two areas. The core zone with western Switzerland from the Bernese Oberland and Lower Valais as well as the Savoy and High Savoy: I see between 30-50 cm there by Friday morning, while the rest will probably only receive around 20-40 cm, with the amounts in the peripheral areas or with larger western shadows more likely to be in the lower range. Due to the brevity of the precipitation window and the large-scale development, which is not very dependent on accumulation, surprises are only possible in the 10 cm range. So more than 60 cm is not possible on Monte Bianco either. Unfortunately, everyone else is looking down the drain. And they're probably glad that they don't have to go into the powder at Christmas time, which everyone else in the west should be looking out for. Now to the medium term and the motto of this alert, because the outlook so far is more meagre than wow. So go out if you're in the west and take advantage of what's falling now, because it could be a while before the next alert. Because even if some snow is on the cards again after a brief period of renewed warming before New Year's Eve, the oracle's crystal ball sees neither massive congestion nor a significantly lower temperature level. For the New Year, however, Ullr could have packed something into the stratospheric surprise bag that could drive away this unholy alliance of W/SW and warmth. But more on that when the time comes, or if Lea can fish out something more from the depths of the synoptic weather forecast ocean for the WeatherBlog. Powder to the People! Your oracle