PA#2: where to go

The Alps will face a new storm cycle in the coming week. A very active jet stream is heading towards the Alps so that the northwest of the Alps in particular will see a lot of snow in the upcoming week. After a snowy Monday there will be sun on Tuesday for the northwest. There is more snow in the forecast for the rest of the week too, but according to the latest calculations the temperature will rise as of next weekend so that the snow line gradually gets higher and higher.

• Monday: a lot of snow for the Northwest
• Tuesday: Southern and Western Alps sunny, Northern Alps light snow
• PA#2: where to go
• Storm and snow again as of Wednesday
• Next weekend: mild?

Monday: a lot of snow for the Northwest

Today (Sunday) is wonderful winter day in the Alps. The sun is shining everywhere and with all the snow from SNOWember conditions are perfect in the Main Alpine Ridge and the areas south and west thereof.

This sunny weather will soon come to an end. An active storm is approaching the Alps this Sunday. Higher clouds are increasing and precipitation is expected at the end of the day. At first the the snow line will be quite high at around 1800-2000 meters. But in the night to Monday and on the Monday itself, the jet stream turns north-west to north-north-west and cold air finds its way to the Alps.

Especially on Monday, it snows heavily in the French Northern Alps, the west and north of Switzerland and later also in Vorarlberg. Above 1800 meters there is 20-50 cm of fresh snow expected with local outliers towards the 70 cm. The wind is strong from the northwest from time to time. Although the current snow cover is well set, the avalanche risk will rise sharply again in the next 48 hours. The amount of fresh snow in combination with a lot of wind and the surface hoar that has arisen locally will considerably increase the risk of plate avalanches. Check your local avalanche bulletin for all the details!

Tuesday: Southern and Western Alps sunny, Northern Alps light snow

The low pressure area that causes al the snows on Monday is already sitting east of Finland on Tuesday. Temporarely high-pressure provides some rest in the atmosphere and the sun can be seen again in large parts of the Alps. Only the northern Alps (and in particular Austria) still have to deal with clouds and light snowfall.

PA#2: where to go

Tuesday will be a fantastic powder day. Lots of fresh snow in the northwest and the sun comes through. If you want to enjoy lift assisted powder and the sun, than go to:

• Tignes - Val d'Isère
• Les 3 Vallées
• Chamonix Mont Blanc
• Courmayeur

In all the above areas there is a good to good base for the time of year and the lifts are running there. Many other areas are still closed or, for example Engelberg, still have a somewhat thin base.

Storm and snow again as of Wednesday

Tuesday's high pressure is quickly losing its grip on the Alps. The western jet stream is many times stronger and storm depressions head for the Alps again. The first storm arrives on Wednesday with a snow line of around 2000 meters, which drops rapidly to 700 meters during the day.

Until Friday a lot of snow falls is expected for the Northwestern Alps with a snow line that varies between 700 and 1400 meters. This creates a solid foundation for the rest of the winter for this part of the Alps above 1800 meters.

Next weekend: mild?

What the snow map above does not show is that according to the latest calculations of all major weather models, it will become rapidley milder in the Alps after Friday. The jet stream will be located north of the Alps and with a southwestern current, mild air will be transported to the Alps.

For Friday the 13th and for Saturday the 14th a lot of precipitation is currently being calculated by all the major weather models. On Friday, the snow line is still low, but certainly on Saturday it may well climb towards 2000 meters. After that it should become dry and mild for a few days.

Fortunately everything after Friday the 13th falls under the ultra-long period in terms of forecasts and that is all still very uncertain. So do your snow dance ;).

PA # 2: Wednesday - Thursday and Friday

Whoever wants to ride nice powder after the wonderful sunny Tueasday is best off in those areas where trees offer some visibility:

• Tignes - Val d'Isère
• Courmayeur

My next update will be online on Wednesday, December 11 . Then I will look further into the future and outline the possibilities where you can ride the weekend of December 14-15.

December 8: last day to pre-order.

The coming week we will start with a monster job: The ultimate freeride guide book: wePowder, The Alps with more than 120+ destinations will come off the press and we will be busy shipping all the pre-orders Until December 8th you can pre-order your own unique numbered guide at a discount. More info about this book can be found here, you can order directly here.

Stay stoked, Morris