Schneedecke

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.

A built-up, loose snow cover from the ground to the snow surface is a product of prolonged periods of fine weather in early and mid-winter. This snow, known as nap powder, forms a weak layer that must be taken seriously as soon as it has been snowed in. This is currently the case in wind-protected and little-traveled W-N-E slopes at high altitudes.

You often see that the lower snow layers are missing from profiles, but aren't these also important? Basically yes, but since you can't assess an entire slope with a profile, but "only" (and yet very much) locate the snow layers, snow forms, weak layers, etc., as well as observe fracture initiation and fracture propagation, you don't necessarily have to dig a three-metre-deep hole.

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.

Powder was still to be found on shady slopes and flatter sunny slopes this week, while broken snow was already prevalent on steeper sunny slopes. Sleet deposits could also be observed again and again.

The International Snow Science Workshop (ISSW) brings together scientists and practitioners from a wide range of snow-related fields every two years. 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.

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.

Snow crystals begin to change on their way from the cloud to the ground. Perhaps a layer of air is warmer and the crystal thaws slightly, or several crystals stick together to form large flakes. If it is windy, the fine branches of the crystals break off. Once they reach the ground, things don't calm down - that's when the changes really begin. For skiers, the decomposing and building transformation is crucial:

A few days with very poor snow quality and extremely high temperatures due to the foehn are behind us. With the right exposure, slope steepness and altitude, it was already possible to ski a preliminary firn stage.

Despite the warmer temperatures in the fine weather phase, the snow surface on shady slopes remained mostly loose. On the other hand, slopes exposed to strong sunlight - especially at lower altitudes - became damp on the surface and a cover could form due to cooling.

The SLF's weekly report serves as an important source of information for winter sports enthusiasts outside the geographical borders of Switzerland. We present this regular contribution to you today.

The great early winter conditions south of the Inn are continuing. There is now another 20 cm of fresh powder locally. Avalanche conditions, snow quantity and snow quality are in an optimal range for early December.