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Worldwide Mountain & Snow Sports Discussion 2018/19


J10

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Moving into late October and it is time to open another thread to discuss the upcoming Winter Sports Season in the Northern Hemisphere.

Net Weather Content
Net Weather Ski Centre -> https://www.netweather.tv/weather-forecasts/travel/ski containing a massive range of Skiing related content.

Blogs - This will contain forecast blogs for this coming season, the Alps blogs will start early December to coincide with the majority of resorts opening (hopefully). Paul will also be adding a number of blogs over the course of the season, which will also cover conditions over the USA and Canada.

Resort Weather Forecasts - Resort Weather forecasts based on GFS, updated 4 times a day, together with current conditions. Zermatt Forecast and Conditions

Destination Guides - We have a number of destination guides, and we are aiming to extend this over the coming season, so if you would like to contribute or would like your resort featured, please let us know.

Scotland Section - There is also a section dedicated to the conditions over Scotland. https://www.netweather.tv/weather-forecasts/travel/scotland-ski

The reason this thread is open slightly earlier than recent years is due to the expected Arctic outbreak over the Alps this coming weekend.

 

Edited by J10
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Source -> https://www.snow-forecast.com/maps/dynamic/alps?type=snow.next3to6days&over=none&symbols=snow

According to GFS, which has a tendancy to overdo precipitation amounts at times, over 100cm of snow for some Northern and Eastern parts of the Alps, with over 50cm more generally.

image.thumb.png.06209f3961e159501995f95e42d08287.png

This shows the plunge of cold air over the Alps towards and over this coming weekend.

tempresult_xpv6.gif

Source -> images.meteociel.fr/im/8211/ tempresult_xpv6.gif (excluding the space)

Edited by J10
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looking at updated charts from Source -> https://www.snow-forecast.com/maps/dynamic/alps?type=snow.next3to6days&over=none&symbols=snow

image.thumb.png.dea09fff76c39bf9806dcd9da1e67164.pngimage.thumb.png.27088269eb9fedf3aee94fc3503d48f5.png

Potential Snow amounts are higher over more of the Alps than suggested on Monday, of course at least part of this is due to a later time span.

Rainfall is also an issue, with lower ground seeing heavy rainfall.

Taking Zermatt as an example, precipitation forecast are

Lower slopes (1619m) 33cm snow 208mm of rain.

Medium / Upper slopes (2720m / 3820m) around 220cm snow

Edited by J10
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Posted
  • Location: just south of Doncaster, Sth Yorks
  • Location: just south of Doncaster, Sth Yorks

First autumn snowfall for the Jungfrau region, it looks to be snowing down to 6000 ft maybe a bit lower this morning.

https://panocam.skiline.cc/maennlichen1

 

webcam below is in Murren

https://www.bergfex.com/muerren-schilthorn/webcams/c5482/

 

Edited by johnholmes
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So the snow has arrived as forecast as shown by the lovely webcam above.

Looking ahead further snow is expected over the next 3 days. However, it is worth noting that the snow amounts are concentrated in more Western parts of the Alps as much milder weather is set to spread in from the South East over the Weekend. 

image.thumb.png.309bf7b570ae1a091d771f0522152731.pngtempresult_svk4.gifimage.thumb.png.50960ef582ec43287f04daaceb36d799.png

However, it is worth noting that the snow amounts are concentrated in more Western parts of the Alps as much milder weather is set to spread in from the south over the Weekend. 

Another concern is the intense rainfall expected at the lower ground with very heavy rain possible for Northern Italy, and Southern parts of both Switzerland and Austria. 

http://www.severe-weather.eu/mcd/update-on-the-extreme-rainfall-and-flooding-event-across-the-northern-mediterranean-from-oct-27-29th/

260375593_AlpsRainfallOctober18.thumb.JPG.0037b8e61898a05752248110699a740a.JPG

After this, 850HPa temperatures returning to around +4c to +8c for next week.

 

Edited by J10
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Posted
  • Location: just south of Doncaster, Sth Yorks
  • Location: just south of Doncaster, Sth Yorks

The first outing for the small track snow plough, be much later before the snow blowers come out to play!

https://www.webcam-4insiders.com/en/weather-Kleine Scheidegg/1026-Kleine Scheidegg-weather.php

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Posted
  • Location: just south of Doncaster, Sth Yorks
  • Location: just south of Doncaster, Sth Yorks

Piccs this morning from Wengen

Note the early preparations already for the Downhill race on the picc from the finish area.

https://panocam.skiline.cc/maennlichen1

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17 hours ago, Betleyblizud said:

Quick update from Zermatt.

Heavy snow at 2500m, snow now settling at 2000m. Very wet snow falling in the village after a day of rain but not settling as yet.

Source: Me father in law! 

Welcome to the new season!

Edit to above:

Heavy snow overnight down to village level where it did settle. Slow thaw at village level now but snow still falling above 2500m

Local weather indicating freeze- thaw for the next few days but it appears considerable snow expected throughout the next few days above the 2000-2500m mark

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Posted
  • Location: Hadleigh, Suffolk
  • Weather Preferences: An Alpine climate - snowy winters and sunny summers
  • Location: Hadleigh, Suffolk

A casualty of this weekends snowfall - the FIS Giant Slalom event scheduled for today (Sat 28th Oct) up on the glacier of Solden has been cancelled. You can see why from this webcam grab of the top station, Gaislachkogel, up at 3,040m. Snow blowing about up there with terrible visibility.

596972372_Solden28Oct.thumb.jpg.6cf6d4f01a4b69951bcd8af7b9597df0.jpg

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Posted
  • Location: just south of Doncaster, Sth Yorks
  • Location: just south of Doncaster, Sth Yorks

I would imagine this link being useful to some of you ski mad nuts!

https://www.ski-lifts.com/blog/european-ski-season-dates-2017-18/

I''l be in my usual place 2 days after the Lauberhorn downhill, but walking only, time to hang up the boots and skis sadly, not bad I did ski up to being 78, very gently latterly mind you. For those who might look in here and wonder about trying, you will either be hooked within 2 or 3 days or never do it again. Give it a try it really is great.

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Posted
  • Location: Hadleigh, Suffolk
  • Weather Preferences: An Alpine climate - snowy winters and sunny summers
  • Location: Hadleigh, Suffolk
5 hours ago, johnholmes said:

I would imagine this link being useful to some of you ski mad nuts!

https://www.ski-lifts.com/blog/european-ski-season-dates-2017-18/

I''l be in my usual place 2 days after the Lauberhorn downhill, but walking only, time to hang up the boots and skis sadly, not bad I did ski up to being 78, very gently latterly mind you. For those who might look in here and wonder about trying, you will either be hooked within 2 or 3 days or never do it again. Give it a try it really is great.

It made me feel sad reading that you've decided to hang up your boots and skis John. But goodness, it's fantastic that you've skied up to being 78 and I'm sure there are many of us hoping we can even come close to matching that achievement. Good to hear that you'll still be setting off to your favourite resort to enjoy all that wonder atmosphere and scenery.

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Posted
  • Location: just south of Doncaster, Sth Yorks
  • Location: just south of Doncaster, Sth Yorks

Thank you for such kind comments. I will enjoy reading about your ski holidays and the other folk, so long as you send photos!

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Posted
  • Location: Purley, Surrey - 246 Ft ASL
  • Weather Preferences: January 1987 / July 2006
  • Location: Purley, Surrey - 246 Ft ASL
15 hours ago, johnholmes said:

I would imagine this link being useful to some of you ski mad nuts!

https://www.ski-lifts.com/blog/european-ski-season-dates-2017-18/

I''l be in my usual place 2 days after the Lauberhorn downhill, but walking only, time to hang up the boots and skis sadly, not bad I did ski up to being 78, very gently latterly mind you. For those who might look in here and wonder about trying, you will either be hooked within 2 or 3 days or never do it again. Give it a try it really is great.

Sorry to hear that John, but 78 is still very good going! 

I love skiing, unfortunately my other half doesn't! :(

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Posted
  • Location: Redhill, Surrey
  • Weather Preferences: Southerly tracking LPs, heavy snow. Also 25c and calm
  • Location: Redhill, Surrey

Hi John

Well done and great that you will still enjoy the winter scene.  My skiing may be over from now at 51, damaged my right knee Feb 16, built it up again but not returned to skiing and may never do so.  Taken up golf instead.....enjoying it

 

BFTP

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20 hours ago, johnholmes said:

I would imagine this link being useful to some of you ski mad nuts!

https://www.ski-lifts.com/blog/european-ski-season-dates-2017-18/

I''l be in my usual place 2 days after the Lauberhorn downhill, but walking only, time to hang up the boots and skis sadly, not bad I did ski up to being 78, very gently latterly mind you. For those who might look in here and wonder about trying, you will either be hooked within 2 or 3 days or never do it again. Give it a try it really is great.

Well done John! That’s a real credit to you that you were still waxing your skis at 78! I hope you continue to enjoy Wengen and surrounding areas for many, many years to come and who knows you might be tempted to strap on those skis again in a couple of years time!!

I also fully support your advice. Anyone reading this excellent thread whose thinking of skiing or getting involved in any winter sport then go and do it! Great fun, great scenery, great people and even the apres ski isn’t that bad!

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Posted
  • Location: just south of Doncaster, Sth Yorks
  • Location: just south of Doncaster, Sth Yorks
4 hours ago, BLAST FROM THE PAST said:

Hi John

Well done and great that you will still enjoy the winter scene.  My skiing may be over from now at 51, damaged my right knee Feb 16, built it up again but not returned to skiing and may never do so.  Taken up golf instead.....enjoying it

 

BFTP

Thank you

Golf=Grrr!

The most frustrating game ever devised, but on a windless sunny, not too hot day, a pleasant way to spend a few hours. The bacon butty at the end is often the best bit for me!

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Looking back over the past week and there was a large amount of interesting weather over the Alpine area.

Firstly looking at snowfalls over the past week source https://www.snow-forecast.com/maps/dynamic/alps?type=snow.last7days&over=none&symbols=snow

Image Sources - severeweather.EU

Middle - Heavy Snowfall - Cervinia, NW Italy (2000m)

Right - Tignes,SE France

image.thumb.png.3c3e0b70f8018c639baa65656b920fbb.png-image.thumb.png.999238fb8a215fb36003691d48c2b616.pngimage.thumb.png.6adb65e4e09b35b62ea2c3a90c37dfc5.png

Some very heavy snowfalls over mostly Southern parts of the Alps.

Precipitation was also a feature over lower ground in the Alpine area, unfortunately this caused some major flooding issues. Below the flooded Piave river at Ponte di Piave, NE Italy.

A powerful Sirocco wind also caused damage and destruction. Below Right Val Canali, Trentino, N Italy

image.thumb.png.6c128008b5876161513289760b03c5de.pngimage.thumb.png.8febb0ab95215428d8f8bd484f275201.png

Edited by J10
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Posted
  • Location: Hadleigh, Suffolk
  • Weather Preferences: An Alpine climate - snowy winters and sunny summers
  • Location: Hadleigh, Suffolk
On 02/11/2018 at 16:30, York-snow said:

Anyone have an early season forecast for the alps? Pondering whether to book an early ski trip, although it’s probably best to wait and see!

Personally I think this is a difficult season to predict with some conflicting teleconnections pointing to different outcomes. So your "probably best to wait and see" remark seems the better option to me. There are a couple of longer range forecasts out that you may wish to take a look at:

European Winter Outlook 2018-19. Welcome to this winter's snow outlook for the European Alps.
https://longrangesnowcenter.blogspot.com/2018/10/2018-european-winter-outlook.html

Long-range weather forecast for 2018/19. What will the snow be like this ski season?
https://www.onthesnow.co.uk/news/a/632580/long-range-weather-forecast-for-2018-19

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Temperatures over the Alps over the past week have been very variable, with some very warm air for a times midweek, some stations were over +15c above average at 850Hpa.

The webcam trend at Tignes shows how much of last weekend’s snow has now thawed even at 2100m. Things have cooled down a little over recent days, with a little bit of fresh snow at Tignes today. 

This freeze thaw cycle is not that unusual this early in the season, with a persistent base often reserved for the highest of slopes.

https://www.bergfex.com/tignes/webcams/c3817/?date=2018-10-27

Edited by J10
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