Klimawandel

Every two years, the International Snow Science Workshop (ISSW) brings together scientists and practitioners from a wide range of different, but always snow-related, subject areas. New findings and research results are presented in various thematic blocks - so-called sessions. We break the whole thing down into more or less digestible morsels and summarize the sessions of the ISSW2018 for you every two weeks.

Polluters, bad boys/girls, egoists: take your pick. We skiers are the climate's nightmare come true. Or are we? This column will look at the reality and how we can ski in a more environmentally friendly way. But first of all, why can't we get rid of this climate monster that is skiing?

A strong low pressure system is approaching the Alpine region from the west and a southerly flow is developing in front of the trough with Föhn on the northern slopes of the Alps and increasing accumulating precipitation in the south. Today, Wednesday, it is already snowing heavily in the west, while in the east it is still mostly dry, at least in the north, with a strong Föhn wind.

"Your posts are constantly encouraging people to go powdering all over the world. What's the point! I think it's fatal in view of the ecological consequences." We are always happy to receive reader feedback, even if it is critical, like this message that Roman recently wrote to us. If a Facebook message then turns into a meaningful discussion and an entire article, we are all the more pleased. PG reader Roman Bonderer criticizes the contradictory (travel) behaviour of many winter sports enthusiasts:

Combating climate change and stopping the melting of glaciers: These are the ambitious goals of Whistler Blackcomb. But can one of the largest ski resorts in the world reduce its impact on climate change without sacrificing its economic interests?

A pre-Christmas snow streak in the east at the end of the week is followed by a milder phase over the holidays. Plus: 2017 was pretty warm overall, little ice in the polar regions and continued trouble with the weather on the internet.

The documentary "Snow of Tomorrow" was produced in 2016 and broadcast for the first time. By chance, I stumbled across a repeat in the 3sat media library yesterday, which can still be seen for a few more days. So if you have 70 minutes to spare at the weekend: it's time well spent, as the documentary offers a panoramic view of winter tourism in the Alpine countries.

As PowderAlert has already explained in more detail: it's snowing heavily in the southwest. In the north-east, it's only snowing a little today, then spring will continue. This basic constellation won't change much over the next few days either. What's more: tomorrow is World Weather Day!

There is no doubt that we are still in the area of influence of the massive Omega High with its core in the Danish region. In the southern Alps there were still clouds and the odd snowflake until the beginning of the week, while in the north the sunshine has not been marred by more than a few high foehn clouds for some time. It will become more unsettled towards the weekend and it will snow a little in the north. Also: New Europe Climate Report and other reading tips.

Our winters are changing. This is not only due to too many party-happy tourists storming the ski resorts, but also to climate change. This has an impact on our sport as we know it. Protect our Winters knows this, as does Dani Hochmuth, founder of POW Austria.

When will the big change in the weather come? Well, no idea. That's actually the end of the weather topic for this week. For the time being, there won't be much change to the boring high pressure swamp that has been with us for more than long enough. The WeatherBlog is therefore devoting itself to a (subjectively) more interesting topic: two huge ice avalanches that occurred in Tibet this summer.

There has been virtually nothing new since last week, at least as far as the weather is concerned. One cloudless day follows the next. Temperatures have risen a little at higher altitudes, but in many valleys it's still very chilly under the tough inversion. There is no change in sight for the time being.