WeatherBlog 21 2023/24 | Winter restart - how could this happen?

The basis of this weather situation can be found in the Azores High. It stretches far to the north, preventing a warm and humid westerly flow, but also remains well positioned in the Atlantic. In this orientation, it allows cold, moist air masses from the Arctic to flow deep into Central Europe on its eastern flank. The synoptic circulation (the weather situation) can be described in many different ways, but pressure systems are always the central element as they determine the flow. Attributing the onset of winter to the Azores High seems simplistic but fair. On the other hand, one could also emphasise that we are in a deep trough, but that is irrelevant. The southern side of the Alps also experienced a Föhn wind, but it was still cool, as well as a leeward cyclogenesis, which then brought snow here too. More than half a metre of snow fell in large parts of the northern Alps, and the south is just getting it. The snow conditions for the alpine touring season were once again greatly improved, although the snow line was largely below 1000 metres.

Finally, we find the kind of winter weather we always dream of. The appearance of this weather at the end of April may be surprising, but let's not blame it on global warming. But well, if that's the case, then I'll be ready to go ski touring in the summer!