PowderAlert 9 2023/24 | Southern Comfort

Last time, he made less effort than announced and the amounts turned out to be much more modest than predicted. The SLF and MeteoSwiss also fell for it and the oracle was in good company. It was still good, but surprisingly little. Again, the crystal balls corrected down a bit in the last few days, but have been consistent for a few runs. Hopefully Ullr will treat himself to a Fernet Branca before starting work, because they say he has magical powers and maybe the whole thing will once again exceed the forecasts.

Alert period and areas

Weekend-warrior-friendly from Thursday to Friday evening, so there should still be powder on Saturday.

You can then travel to the southern Alps from Ticino eastwards or to south-west France over the weekend. It is questionable whether the whole thing extends as far as Lower Valais.

The cores extend from Bergell to the Adamello region and in the south-east in the border triangle IT/Slo/Aut

Wind

Foehn storm in the north and on the main ridge, windy in the south-east too. Slightly less in the direct congestion, so that it can remain powdery above the tree line.

In Austria, the whole thing is progressing a little more towards the main ridge, otherwise the maxima are more likely to be in the southern part.

Snow line

Pleasing for a southerly storm and lower than last time. Initially between 1100 and 1600 metres, lower towards Friday. Powder in the trees in the south.

The quantities

From Ticino eastwards, 40-60cm is widespread in the reservoir. In the western core 60-80cm and in the border triangle in the east 70-120cm and I wouldn't rule out 150cm somewhere in the Julian Alps. However, the models have always been at the upper end recently and I say there are more surprises on the downside than on the upside. If it were different this time, that would be worth an Asbach Uralt.

In France and possibly on the Swiss border, the snowfall is between 30-40cm.

Where should I go?

Not anywhere on Thursday, because that's when it starts. By Friday morning, the largest amounts should have already fallen and you can confidently go into the trees in the centres where there was still a base. So somewhere from 1400-1800m.

There is a chance of sunshine on Saturday, but this is more a matter of luck and most likely towards France. It may also stay closed in the southern congestion.

Sunday is completely up in the air, but it's probably not trouble-free either.

Medium term

Completely uncertain, but some models have more south-facing storm fronts on offer. Everything can, nothing has to. Sorry. There are no tendencies. But it will certainly not be a northern congestion. If nothing works, there's always something on the Underberg. PowderGuide is unfortunately not yet sponsored by Anheuser Busch, but in the age of global warming we also see the synergy effects, so let's go dear breweries!

Powder (and herbal schnapps!) to the people!

Your oracle

Prediction game #9: Core zone station "Livinal Lunc (1837m)"

The snow depth prediction game no. 9 takes place at station "Livinal Lunc (1837m)" from Wednesday, 21 Feb 22:45 to 23 Feb 23:45. The initial snow depth at station "Livinal Lunc (1837m)" is 205cm (21 Feb 22:45).

Write your fresh snow tip as a comment below by Thursday, 22 February at 20:00! Reminder: Tip game rules, Tipping game reminder by email.

The south jam delivers Japanese quantities, and that reminds me of the Japanese cocktail Bamboo (original from 1886). I wonder if this gave its name to the main prize, the Bamboo Ski from Valhalla?

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