ICON

The PowderGram is our interpretation of a classic meteogram, with a focus on variables that are particularly relevant for freeriders and ski tourers. In the following, we will introduce you to the concept and all elements of the PowderGram. We are optimistic that this will convince even the last doubters of the PowderGram.

Today we are releasing our new PowderGuide-Map (PG-Map), which is now available at map.powderguide.com. In this article we present the basic principles and will provide more detailed information on all functions in further articles. The PG-Map will provide space for our weather forecasts (PG-ICON-Weather) as well as many other contents: ConditionsReports, editorial, locatable content and soon also tour tracks, SnowReports and other info from partner websites. We are very happy and grateful for the second generation of PG-ICON-Weather, which has reliably provided us with very accurate forecasts. But now we are ready, proud, excited and also relieved to bring the new PowderGuide-Map to the light of day.

After its visit in the Caucasus last week, we are now accompanying the same low pressure area on its journey eastwards. It is now affecting parts of the mighty Hindu Kush and Karakoram mountain ranges. It is now reaching the Kashmir region, which is covered by PG weather since the last update. Just like the Caucasus, Kashmir is geopolitically extremely sensitive: Pakistan and India have been fighting over the political region of Kashmir for a long time. The mountains around Kashmir are extremely interesting terrain for both trekking in summer and freeriding in winter.

The Friday before last (07.02.2025) we released the new PowderGuide weather, version 2.4.0, which has been providing you with the weather forecast ever since. We no longer only show ICON but also the SNOWGRID and EXOLABS snowpack models. We look back on our old system with satisfaction, but we also had to develop further. The new system covers the whole of Europe and also international regions, includes new variables and extends the forecast to 7.5 days. It was a turbulent development process, and not all ideas were realized. But we are pleased with the result and we are sure that it will also keep you well informed and entertained. The weather forecast, which is usually the main focus of the WeatherBlog, can be found in abbreviated form as a picture gallery, because unfortunately there won't be much going on in the Alps next week.

Cheers to the New Year! The Christmas period of high pressure is coming to an end and 2025 will bring a change in the weather - it's about time! A cold front will bring some variety and even a bit of precipitation from tomorrow. The outlook for the coming week is still very uncertain. Depending on the mood of the Azores High, the options range from mild westerly weather to an Atlantic block with an outbreak of cold air over Central Europe.

Winter is slowly coming to an end, even if the fresh snow maps on the PG-ICON weather forecast are once again turning colourful this week. In the meantime, we are continuing to work on the weather maps on Powderguide.com. We have refreshed the portfolio once again to provide the travellers among you with reliable snow and weather data. Our forecast maps are now also available for Norway and Scandinavia, the Caucasus and the Pyrenees! A search function has also been integrated into the map, allowing you to quickly search for locations, valleys or mountains.

After the recent snowfall, the conditions for freeriding and especially ski touring are perfect across the Alps. It's chilly, at least north of the Alps, and half of Germany is also enjoying classic winter weather with frost and a hint of snow. It's like imperial weather!

The Christmas weather is not showing its contemplative side this year, but is arriving with a decent storm and fresh snow. Friday and Saturday in particular are expected to be very inhospitable, with high wind speeds and lots of precipitation. The next report from our colleague Orakel won't be long in coming!

Compared to the last few winters, the start of the season was reasonably good for the northern side of the Alps. Even Munich and even Lower Bavaria enjoyed and groaned under unprecedented amounts of snow. This was followed by a warm and wet period of precipitation, which caused considerable damage to the snow cover at lower altitudes. But now a cold front gives us hope for good fresh snow before we head towards sunny times. We are also noticing that the southern side of the Alps is still suffering from a considerable lack of snow.

It will remain varied. Today, Wednesday, it will snow again in many places in the north, while the sun will shine in the south. With temperatures rising, it will be quite friendly on Thursday and Friday. The next major disturbance is approaching at the weekend and is expected to bring a new round of storms and precipitation from Sunday. Unfortunately, it will probably rain at lower altitudes.

The WeatherBlog can also be found on the new PowderGuide website. It's high time, after all, the season has already been heralded twice by the PowderAlert! As usual, we will dedicate ourselves to the framework story for the PA and take a look at the general weather situation. Attention: At the end there is part 1 of a tutorial series on the new PG weather.

With the new PowderGuide website, we are also presenting our community with a completely new weather service: the PG-ICON weather. Sebastian, who is probably best known to most readers from our "Videos of the week" section, is in charge of this. Sebastian holds a doctorate in meteorology and is currently researching tropical precipitation in high-resolution global climate models at the University of Trento. We are very happy to have Sebastian as a specialist in our team and are delighted to be able to introduce him and the new PG-ICON weather with an interview.