Weihnachtstauwetter

Last week finally brought the long-awaited onset of winter in the north. While the base in the south grew with every Italian low, the northern Alps have lagged far behind. All the more pleasing now is the abundant northern accumulation: on Saturday (11.12.), a warm front nestling lovingly against the Alps brought up to half a meter of fresh snow in the (eastern) northern Alps, in addition to the starter that fell the day before.

In meteorology, weather conditions that occur with above-average probability on a certain date are called singularities or weather regularities. One such singularity is the much-hated Christmas thaw. While everything is often still frosty and Christmasy white just before the holidays, it starts to thaw when the presents arrive, it gets warm, it rains and not even an array of colorful fairy lights can alleviate the dreariness of muddy front gardens?