Jetstream

The WeatherBlog has been asked to explain why winter is "broken". We could go on for a while about what exactly "broken" means - broken in comparison to climatological averages or only in my subjective perception? Broken in general or just on my local mountain? And anyway, meteorologically speaking, it's only been winter for 3 days, so how are you supposed to know if something is broken? But we're not like that ...

Nothing fundamental is changing in the Alps for the time being: in the north, spring flowers are swaying in the foehn, in the south it is raining or snowing heavily. This week, we look beyond the Alps and take a look at tropical oceans and fire-breathing mountains in Indonesia.

PowderGuide über-user Tobi asks: how do such pronounced southern winters or, last winter, northern winters come about? I'm aware that there is a certain tendency to preserve the snow. But the fact that it always turns out to be as extreme as this winter is astonishing.

Since the weather doesn't change much anyway, let's get back to the big picture and suggestions from the WeatherBlog topic requests thread.

It has been snowing heavily on the northern slopes of the Alps recently. Our colleague Orakel has sounded the powder alarm twice in four days and that's saying something. We'll leave the specific details to him and focus on the bigger picture that makes it all possible.

Another month has passed. It must be due to climate change! After a wet but mild January, February promises cooler temperatures and accumulated precipitation right from the start.

The precipitation maps are becoming increasingly colorful and our colleague the oracle is living up to his name with meaningful hints. Word has got around that something interesting is about to be fabricated in the weather kitchen. So why all the excitement?

The world of winter sports fans is notoriously divided into two camps: season ticket holders and road trippers. The former usually live in relative proximity to this or that ski resort and are happy to indulge in the occasional boredom of a fixed commitment, while the latter are flighty and faithless – always on the lookout for the perfect spot with the perfect conditions.