Storm after storm is hitting the Alps this autumn. And there's another one coming up. Storm Reinhardt doesn't seem to care about the high-pressure areas and computer calculations and fights his way to the Alps. We only one good storm cycle last winter in November, but Reinhardt is already the fourth storm in November this year and chances are that we can expect a fifth storm as well. In this forecast:
The Alps are dealing with mild air right now. The freezing level fluctuates around 2000-2400 meters and it rained up to an altitude of 1500-1800 meters in Austria on Tuesday. Three drama winters in a row left its marks on the soul of freeriders and this kind of development is not really what we're waiting for. It remains mild due to a strong wind from the southwest until Saturday, but cold air comes in from the northwest in the course of Saturday. You can check it out below. The Alps are still in the mild current from the southwest (red arrow), but it gets colder from the northwest (blue arrow) in the weekend.
I'm quite positive about the start of the winter, especially compared to the last three ones:
The Alps are facing a current from the southwest for the first time this month. The temperatures is now quite high, but that is going to change. The first fronts of storm Reinhardt will reach the Alps on Friday. The wind is still coming from the southwest and you can see the impact on the image below. The map on the left shows that we are dealing with a southern Föhn, the map in the middle shows the temperature at eye level (it is almost everywhere above zero degrees in the Alps right now) and you can see the temperature at 850 hPa (around 1400 meters) on the last map. Thanks to the southern Föhn it remains colder on the south side of the main alpine ridge (blue arrow) than on the north side of the main alpine ridge (red arrow).
The wind is still southwest on Saturday, but will turn to the northwest during the day when the cold front comes in. This will probably happen:
The front is already east of the Alps on Sunday and then moves further away to the east. The sun will come out and it will be a powder day. It will be just deep enough for a good powder day. More details on Friday.
There's still a chance that November will end with another storm. The models have been showing a scenario that will result in more snow at the end of November for a few days already and that is no different today. All the major models forecast a new storm for the middle of next week.
That's also visible on our snow maps for the long term. The maps show a lot of colors and that offers perspective. Of course there will be some changes in the map below, but a perspective like this is just great. If you want to look further into the future, become a wePowder Pro member and get access to our 14-day snow maps. You will never miss a dump again, but you'll also support us with the further development of wePowder. Thank you very much for your support.
It looks like that high-pressure area Zoë, which would dominate the Alps until November 27th, has fooled the weather models. Because no one could suspect a week ago that she would leave the Alps this soon. Anyway, I'm pretty excited that she's leaving and I think I'll make my first trip to the Alps in December. Until that time I'll keep working on my knowledge and keep an eye on the weather and the development of the snow cover!
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Stay stoked, Morris