Weststau

A pattern is emerging this (late) early winter. Changing fronts from the west, bringing sometimes cool, sometimes mild and humid air to the western slopes of the Alps. As with the Dumpicane, this is now the case again. After a few insignificant flakes of up to 10 cm today (an exception in Switzerland with 25 cm), it will start tomorrow (30.12.2011).

Nothing new in the west, or how Ullr sweetens our wait with lots of small snowfalls. Now that last week's dump has been digested and photographed, this week will see a punctual replenishment on the northern and western slopes of the Alps. It has already started to snow in the west and north of Switzerland and in France today and the front will also move eastwards along the northern edge of the Alps during the course of the day.

It's been hard to believe recently, but the classic westerly weather pattern is one of the most common large-scale weather patterns in Europe. The current, long-awaited snowfall clearly shows why westerly weather is so important for winter in the Alps: reasonably widespread precipitation – and not too little of it.

First of all, the verification (although there is still some to come this evening): With some stations over 70 cm where there was no snow before and many regions with more than 40 cm of fresh snow, from Valais to Glarnerland, the values of the last PowderAlert matched pretty well until today. Even in the east in the Arlberg corner, some stations like the Diedamskopf have stalked the 40 cm total snow depth and should make it by tonight. Further to the east, what I warned about has happened, as the upslope flow meant that there was not much there and the negative centimetres are making themselves felt.

After the beginning of October, the time has finally come again. Snow is falling. The weather situation has changed and instead of dry and southern flavors, we are now getting our fresh, juicy air masses from the west to northwest. After the beginning of October, the time has finally come again. Snow is falling.