PowderAlert #2: when and where to go?

PowderAlert #2: when and where to go?

We are on the eve of an intense storm cycle. Snowmageddon is in the making with lots of snow and wind. This weekend will be a challenge. There is almost no base below 1800-2300 meters in the northwest and north of the Alps. The two storms that will hit the Alps this weekend will bring bad visibility and strong winds. If you still want to enjoy fresh snow and sun, the best time to go into the high alpine is Friday. It is snowing at the time of writing (Thursday) in the high mountains in the northwest of the Alps, Friday starts sunny and by the evening the storm will kick in. You can expect 48 to 96 hours of storm, rain and lots of snow. In this forecast:

PowderAlert #2: the tips

  1. Friday: solid base in the high alpine, fresh snow in the northwest and a sunny start of the day. These are the areas where you can make some powder turns (and where lifts are open):

You can also go touring of course. Drive up a mountain pass with your car, skin up and make sure you are back in before the storm. There are plenty of options available. Keep in mind that compared to last weekend there are quite a few wind labs.

Snowfall until Friday morning
Snowfall until Friday morning

The ** weekend ** will be interesting. Snow, wind and little visibility on Saturday, but no base between the trees in many areas. It will be difficult, but it is possible. Epic? No. Sunday starts warm and in the course of the (mid) day the cold front kicks in. Hurricane winds, a snow line that drops from 1400 meters to valley level and large amounts of snow. Take into account that lifts will remain closed or close during the day. You can certainly ride some powder on Saturday and Sunday, but I keep my euros for after the weekend. Too much hassle, too little base below 2000 meters, too much wind above the tree line, no visibility, early season. Touring is even more challenging during the weekend. The visibility is poor in the northwest and north, and the wind is strong on the south side of the Alps. The strong wind will result in a lot of slabs in the high alpine. The avalanche risk will rise!

Snowfall until Sunday
Snowfall until Sunday
  1. Monday: The storm passes on Monday and the current has turned to the north. The precipitation is decreasing in the northwest of the Alps (French northern Alps, southwestern Switzerland) and there is more and more room for the sun. It can be epic especially by the end of the afternoon. A lot of fresh snow, the sun comes out and the wind isn’t that strong anymore. And yes… the weekend is over. Nice time to plan your meeting with your colleagues in ‘Salle Tignes’ or ‘Meeting room Verbier’. Tips for Monday:
Snowfall until Tuesday
Snowfall until Tuesday

:nopro:
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  1. Tuesday/Wednesday: the storm is expected to move further to the east. According to the latest calculations, the current is coming from the north. The northern Stau runs at full speed on Monday, but could slow down on Tuesday. It will be ON in the resorts belowe from Tuesday / Wednesday:

And of course the resorts where it’s already ON from Monday:

Avalanche risk!

A lot of snow, a shifting snow line and lots of wind. Keep in mind that the avalanche danger will increase this weekend. Perhaps lifts and perhaps the mountain passes will be closed locally. Touring will be hard and outside the slopes the right knowledge is more than useful. Always check your local avalanche forecast and adapt your plans to it.

(Tip: on wePowder you will find a link to the local avalanche forecast at each resort, but you can also visit this page).

Follow wePowder and the social media channels on [Facebook] (https://www.facebook.com/wepowder/?ref=bookmarks) and Instagram. In addition, I regularly post on my own Facebook account and as meteo.morris on Instagram. Follow these channels and you will not miss a single flake. Do you want to share your powder turns with the rest of the community? Send your footage to info@wepowder.com! Thanks to Ortovox for the support of the video forecast!

Stay stoked,
Morris

meteomorris

Replies

Advanced
Chester_TartsnatcherAuthor6 December 2018 · 21:19

+++w000t+++. Sounds great!

EuroBBI2024 Rueras, CH March 1-9, 2024
Advanced
starchyAuthor7 December 2018 · 07:21

lets see, if Ischgl works for me next week… :D

Advanced
AdamSteklAuthor7 December 2018 · 08:32

Hello @@meteomorris,
it is great to have you and winter back :-). We are heading on a road trip to Austria Tuesday-Thursday. Do you think treesking will be possible? If yes, what would be the place? Montafon, Stuben (Anton)? Thanks for info.

Adam
Advanced
mmp3Author7 December 2018 · 10:33

Superb Morris !

Expert
meteomorrisAuthor7 December 2018 · 10:35

@@AdamStekl, there is hardly any base between the trees. The only places where you can find something that looks like a base is western Tirol and Vorarlberg. But be aware that this base is still pretty thin. Let’s see what this storm will bring us.

powfinder.com
Tourist
AnonymousAuthor7 December 2018 · 13:57

@@AdamStekl we have no base here at all. There’s barely to find snow below 2000 m.
Check the webcams:
https://silvretta-montafon.panomax.com/nova-stoba

Tourist
AnonymousAuthor7 December 2018 · 14:09

Just got back from Andermatt (Friday), best powder of the year so far. Base above 2k is super solid. Gemmstock was great, a strong base to go on for the year. The snow had settled, but still fun to ride in. Could really fly. Best part, NO ONE WAS THERE!!
Last weekend was on Piz Badus (near Oberalppass), and it also had a solid base.

Pic below is on gemmstock looking south, 845am

Tourist
AnonymousAuthor7 December 2018 · 14:09

Just got back from Andermatt (Friday), best powder of the year so far. Base above 2k is super solid. Gemmstock was great, a strong base to go on for the year. The snow had settled, but still fun to ride in. Could really fly. Best part, NO ONE WAS THERE!!
Last weekend was on Piz Badus (near Oberalppass), and it also had a solid base.

Expert
meteomorrisAuthor7 December 2018 · 14:24

@@JohnnyCamione thanks for sharing.
@@MorningBrewer thanks… missing your picture tough ;)

powfinder.com
Tourist
NicZHAuthor7 December 2018 · 23:35

So the plan this weekend looks snowshoe hiking with Madame on Sunday.
Looking forward for wednesday!

Expert
meteomorrisAuthor8 December 2018 · 00:49

So the plan this weekend looks snowshoe hiking with Madame on Sunday.
Looking forward for wednesday!

NicZH op 7 Dec 2018 23:35

???

powfinder.com
Expert
BSSKI.chAuthor9 December 2018 · 13:10

Awesome, Mr. Good news! ? best forecasts !! But your Vimeo forecast for 6.12.2019 would be magic ;)

Reply
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