Schneedecke

Avalanche warning services, PowderAlert and WeatherBlog have intensively discussed the current situation regarding the intensive new snowfall in the south and the build-up of old snow cover. That's why we're devoting ourselves here to an exemplary snow profile from mid-November. How do you read it and how do you interpret it?

The marmot greets us daily with sunshine and a mostly cloudless sky. Especially near the surface, there is a massive temperature gradient of just a few centimetres in the snow cover - often despite plus temperatures up to high altitudes.

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.

Greetings, dear WeatherBlog readers! We are starting the season, despite high pressure and the corona crisis, because: Weather always works. And at some point, the weather will change again and so will the lockdown situation. And then you want to be well prepared! The other PowderGuide weather services (fresh snow forecast, PowderMap) will be switched on when it looks a bit more wintry.

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.

Avalanche warning products often only refer to the "classic spring situation". But what are the "non-classical spring situations"? This time it's about the three non-classical of the four different snowpack scenarios in spring.

Avalanche warning products often only refer to the "classic spring situation". But what are the "non-classical" spring situations? There are three of them, which we will discuss in more detail in the next SnowFlurry. But to start with, let's look at the most common of the four different snow cover scenarios in spring.

Due to the current situation caused by COVID 19 and the resulting curfew, we snow rummagers are also staying at home and using the time to share old, interesting profiles or technical knowledge with you. If you refresh and expand your snow and avalanche knowledge now, you will be all the better equipped for the next season - because it is sure to come.

In February, it rained several times up to high altitudes. The WeatherBlog has reported on the warm western weather several times. However, especially in the higher areas, the rain only reduces the snow depth, but usually increases the amount or mass of snow.

Hazard pattern 4 - cold on warm, warm on cold - occurs when there is a large temperature difference (more than 5°C) during the snowing process or between the snow surface and the fresh snow. As the name suggests, it can occur in both temperature directions, regardless of whether it snows cold on a warm surface or vice versa.

Apparently, a new type of avalanche prevention device was announced at the ISPO in Munich. The AvyScanner is a small radar that scans the snow cover.

The warm temperatures continue in February. Where it is more like spring in the valley, the touring conditions at altitude are still good, even if the snow depth in Kühtai is slightly below average for mid-February.