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Update PA#2: Welcome dump, high avalanche risk

After the fresh snow and stormy weather of the past few days, we take stock and look ahead: the big Christmas gift is on its way. In this update from Henri’s #PA2 on 19-12, we check: The current situation in the Alps Details about the pre-Christmas dump with 50-100 cm on a large scale When will it become calm and safer again?

PA#2: Heavy Snowfall for the North(west)ern Alps!

It’s time for PowderAlert #2, a nice (early) Christmas gift! This isn’t necessarily about the first snowfall starting now, but rather about the big dump expected from the weekend onward.

Pre-Christmas dump firmly on the weather maps

Both major weather models (GFS and ECMWF) now agree: the Alps can look forward to an unsettled and snowy run-up to Christmas. Especially the nordstau on Sunday and Monday will certainly be worth a Powder Alert.

Lots of snow just before Christmas

A significant amount of snow is coming just before Christmas, with PA#2 approaching, but the snow line remains a point of concern. However, the latest model calculations seem much more positive.

Milder at first, but snow returns later in the week

As a high-pressure system approaches from the west, the Alps will experience a brief period of dry and warmer weather. However, before it clears up everywhere, the northern side of the Alps will still see some leftover snow showers due to a northerly wind today.

Short snow phase in France and Austria, long-term forecast looks promising

After a beautiful week with snow and then sun, the weather is becoming more changeable in the Alps. Today brings some snow in the French Alps and Sunday it’s Austria’s turn. We are also looking ahead to the Christmas period.

High pressure prevalent, some regional snowfalls expected

We begin this forecast with a beautiful cam shot taken at sunrise this morning from the Faulhorn near Grindelwald. At the same time, the nearby Sägistalsee (a well-known Swiss cold spot at 1937m) recorded -24 degrees.

Must See: Above Arolla

You might have already caught the latest gem from the Hidden Faces crew at the Freeride Film Festival in Amsterdam, but if you missed it there (or maybe just want to watch it again), here it is!

A week of high-pressure influence

After a weekend of snowfall, the Alps and Pyrenees enter calmer waters. From the north, the influence of a strong high pressure area increases. It becomes increasingly stable and snowfall is limited.

Update Powder Alert 1: Heavy snowfall in Italy and the Pyrenees

In the past 24 hours, snow has fallen in much of the Alps, but the amounts were disappointing compared to the already reduced model forecasts. In this update of Powder Alert 1, we check where the most fresh snow has fallen and zoom in on the Pyrenees, where a real snowstorm is raging.

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