PowderAlert 8 2025/26 | The dump of the five rings!

That sounds a bit dark, but the Olympics aren't that dark after all.

Now that FIFA has recently pulled ahead of the Olympic Committee when it comes to corruption and sucking up to (wannabe?) autocrats, you almost feel sorry for the Winter Olympics. There was: planning chaos, possibly ICE in Italy and Ullr, as an uncorruptible god, ensured an extremely poor start to the season in north-eastern Italy.

With the last dump, the season has essentially has only just begun there, and as Ullr does not want to blame his disciples for the shortcomings of the winter sports circus, he is now sending some freshies to the region. Possibly even a whole lot in the far east. And he doesn't even want a peace prize for it. That's how real idols are. In the north-east of the Alps, people are still waiting for a dump - perhaps the Red Bull billions should be invested in Ullr shrines to secure the area as a destination.

Alarm period and areas

The alert extends from the Hautes Alpes via the Maritime Alps and parts of the Piedmont to the border triangle (IT/SLO/AUT). The core areas are the Maritime Alps (as well as the southernmost Piedmont on the border ridge) and the border triangle, where the most precipitation is expected.

In the southwest, it is not clear whether there will be enough for an alert from the Adamello/Upper Engadine or further west from Monte Rosa area onwards.

The alert is valid until Friday morning, but most of it will already be on the ground on Thursday. Depending on the region, there will also be longer breaks in precipitation and windows of sunshine. Whether these are various mini alerts or one big one will have to be clarified by the philosophers or the social media comments (so let's go!).

Snow line

The snow line should mostly be around 800-1200m, but it may rise to 1200-1400m towards Thursday. Full amounts or powder above 1500-1600m.

The amounts

From southwest France to the Dolomites there will be 30-40cm of fresh snow. In the core of the Maritime Alps it will probably be 40-60cm. From the eastern Dolomites to the core, numbers rising towards the east, 50-80cm.

And this is where it gets exciting: the eastern core is still moving back and forth in the oracle's crystal balls, the range of the amount of fresh snow is also quite high and there may be surprises.

The core could reach as far as Trentino, but probably won't. Up to one meter of fresh snow may fall in the Julian Alps. The oracle says this is not unlikely, as the Tippspiel corner is always a wild card.

Where should I go?

As the cores are far apart, you should decide beforehand. The Oracle would go to the Maritime Alps core, as there is more of a base there and the whole thing is mostly higher. This is important as it gets warmer directly after the alert. If you know your way around the eastern core, you can also bet high and hope for heavy precipitation there on Thursday.

The main snowfall days are Tuesday and Thursday. The sun may make an appearance on Wednesday and is pretty certain to shine on Friday.

Medium term

The established pattern will be nibbled at on a large scale and maybe the whole thing will turn more to the west and it won't snow in the south. But that's all still very uncertain. It certainly doesn't look dry and warm. That's something this winter.

Powder to the People!

Your oracle

Prediction game #6: Core zone station "Livinal Lunc (1837 m)"

The snow depth prediction game #6 takes place at the station "Livinal Lunc (1837m)" from Monday, Feb 2nd 18:00 until Feb 6th 15:00. The initial snow depth at station "Livinal Lunc (1837m)" is 121cm (2.2. 18:00).

Write your new snow tip as a comment below by Tuesday, February 3rd at 20:00! Reminder: Prediction game rules, prediction reminder by email.