Schmelzumwandlung

After a brilliant start to the season in September and October, November brings us back down to earth with the autumnal high pressure - as reported by the WeatherBlog. On the sunny side, the snow cover bubbled out again right up to the top, while on the shady side, faceted weak layers formed in this constellation of settled but thin old snow cover and persistent fine weather.

The melting transformation is the transformation process of the snow crystals in the snow cover, which occurs when the snow reaches a temperature of at least 0°C due to heat input. In other words, the transformation from snow crystal to water and back to ice when the temperature drops again. The corners and edges of the snow crystals begin to melt, become rounder and move closer together. The melting transformation can occur in all winter months, but is most common in spring.

The snow surface has taken a turn for the worse again in terms of skiing. After a Christmas season blessed with powder and good weather, the crowds, wind and sun have left their mark. That's why we'd better get back to a snow profile than skiing.

Summer firn is a little-known type of snow among skiers - but summer mountaineers often encounter it. We discuss the most important characteristics of snow that is usually reserved for hardy ski tourers and pick up where the last SnowFlurry left off.

The Alpine region is still under the influence of an Omega high. The snow cover continues to build up at higher altitudes and on the shaded side, while there is something similar to firn on steep, lower southern slopes. Surface frost can also be found, but only rarely due to the low humidity in relation to the amount of radiant nights.

Depending on the area and altitude, there are already some melting crusts within the snow cover that have been created by rain events or warm air intrusions. Weak layers often develop around these. Why is this?