 Poster: A snowHead
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There's been so much snow and gloom and fog and low flying cloud for much of this season I think a spot of sunshine sounds delightful. Snow depths in many areas, including mine, are above average but I suspect that as I will be going back mid-month that's when the LFC will be back.
Forecasting isn't bollux but believing a computer-generated estimate of how many centimetres of snow is going to fall on your local spot probably is.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| pam w wrote: |
| There's been so much snow. |
Unfortunately not everywhere...my traditional Easter ski at St Anton is 5 weeks away and their snow levels are very, very low compared to every other year I've been.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| nozawaonsen wrote: |
High pressure looks increasingly dominant from the end of the week and likely to continue through to mid month at least.
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Mid-month!!!! So does that mean the above freezing temperatures forecast for later this week, might last for another 10 days or so! Hope it all doesn't melt!! (still two and a half weeks till I go)
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kitenski, we are exactly in the same position (arrive 13 April), looking at Bergfex's valley forecast for the next 9 days it is quite conceivable that all snow at resort level would be gone by the end of next week. 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Weathercam, to put it in perspective, as I said on the other thread, there is 3m of snow on the mountain, plenty for the next few weeks. I've had a couple of PMs this morning from future visitors to Serre Che concerned that there will be no snow to ski on, purely based on your comments on the conditions. Not everyone needs 1m of fresh pow every morning.
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kitenski, yes, I realise there are some areas which have had poor snow.
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Not everyone needs 1m of fresh pow every morning.
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This. There have been a number of trip reports this year where family groups, in particular, have regretted the poor weather (in terms of bad visibility) and the mounded snow on piste which results from heavy falls. I missed four days skiing in the Dolomites because lifts - and roads - were closed. I do recognise that for some expert skiers days when there is lots of new snow, even with poor visibility, are heaven. But I bet that most holiday skiers would much prefer good pisted snow and sunshine. I would.
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pam w, you're completely right - it's that hypocritical nature of skiers where that want non-stop snow and blizzards up until the day they go on hols, then for those 7 days they want sunshine and blue skies!!!!
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Handy Turnip - I think I might be unusual in that I love skiing in a blizzard 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Handy Turnip wrote: |
| pam w, you're completely right - it's that hypocritical nature of skiers where that want non-stop snow and blizzards up until the day they go on hols, then for those 7 days they want sunshine and blue skies!!!! |
No, I'm most happy when it's dumping with snow, head to the trees for better vis and deep untracked snow, also days like these are the quiet since so many fair weather skiers - missing the best conditions. I can only dream of the perfect conditions this season - too much sunshine already. I ski on the north side.
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| waynos wrote: |
| Handy Turnip wrote: |
| pam w, you're completely right - it's that hypocritical nature of skiers where that want non-stop snow and blizzards up until the day they go on hols, then for those 7 days they want sunshine and blue skies!!!! |
No, I'm most happy when it's dumping with snow, head to the trees for better vis and deep untracked snow, also days like these are the quiet since so many fair weather skiers - missing the best conditions. I can only dream of the perfect conditions this season - too much sunshine already. I ski on the north side. |
this every time!! 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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sparkzter, waynos, you are in the expert minority! The fact that the pistes are so much quieter when the visibility is poor attests to the fact that for most people, sunshine is good news! I don't mind the odd gnarly day - and if I have visitors who only have a short time, I'm happy to go out with them. But left to myself I confess I am becoming a fair weather skier. On a nasty day I might go snow-shoeing to get some exercise.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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pam w, I suppose I have become a fair weather skier too but I would like it to freeze overnight. The forecast does look a bit warm.
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Reckon today will be the max of snow depths this winter in western alps , Ste Foy reports 126cm at station level don't see that being topped now , easily enough to last the season out .
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You know it makes sense.
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waynos,
Thanks for the tip. Is that a long drive from Radstadt?
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| Pedantica wrote: |
| Thanks for the tip. Is that a long drive from Radstadt? |
About 30mins, can probably bus it too.
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Poster: A snowHead
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waynos, great. Ta.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Hi I'm heading out to Morzine on the 15th could anybody help with a long term outlook please. This high pressure, is it here to stay? Looks like mid morning skiing and long lunches. Could be worse ; )
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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pam w, I agree I am one of said holiday skiers that likes sunshine or at least light where you can distinguish the ground from the sky. Ten of us in Alpe d'huez at the moment have got in about 4 runs in the last two days due to snow and whiteout conditions. A lot of money spent to miss two days out of annual ski trip and very few trees around here to help with perspective. Hoping for snow to stop soon. It's still at it now although much finer and lighter than earlier today.
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Had some of my best fun on a mountain when it's snowing and poor viz. used to it from 25 years of Scottish conditions. It's quiet, untracked and if it suddenly clears, as happened a few years ago when we were up high in poor weather at la plagne, you'll have amazing conditions and the mountain to
A wee spell of high pressure is what you expect in March and while freezing levels are going to be reasonably high, I'd imagine there will be a nightly freeze to reduce snow melt and provide some ideal spring conditions.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Its ironic that so far I have hit two sunny and dry periods with my two trips, that which so many desire, and it may be more of the same if the high pressure doesn't shift! Would be delighted if it kept snowing the whole week we are to middle of the month!
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| elliot wrote: |
| This high pressure, is it here to stay? |
Maybe not. Latest GFS runs seem to be suggesting something a little cooler towards the end of next week, maybe with just a hint of snow in the air. I'd be interested to hear a more expert analysis though.
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Custard the Rabbit, not an expert analysis, but I reckon it's encouraging that it's changing, run to run - rather than just staying really warm. I like sunshine, but I don't like lack of overnight freezing.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Handy Turnip wrote: |
| nozawaonsen wrote: |
High pressure looks increasingly dominant from the end of the week and likely to continue through to mid month at least.
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Mid-month!!!! So does that mean the above freezing temperatures forecast for later this week, might last for another 10 days or so! Hope it all doesn't melt!! (still two and a half weeks till I go) |
I'm rather hoping they do, I don't leave till the 15th. I've done the christmas and january "baltic" trips, I'm looking forward to getting some skiing in my mankini..
It's strange, this kind of thing seems to happen every year, I think they call it.... spring?
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So, off to 3 V on Sunday. Do I need warm clothes or t-shirts please?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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ask the same question again on saturday 
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You see next week every one will be moaning about how heavy the snow on the piste is in the afternoon, and how off piste will be leg breaking sludge 
I hope nozawaonsen, being optimistic means that it will freeze overnight but many forecasts are showing FL's at around 2,600 for this part of the world, which rules out any freeze melt cycle, but we'll just have to wait and see.
And for those pining for uber warm sunny conditions, may I remind you what happened last Spring when the isotherm was circa 3,300 to all that lovely snow, it slid off the mountain*!
By mountain I mean out of resort touring areas. The touring season was cut short when temps suddenly ramped up, and there was B all freeze melt cycle.
Ideally clear overnight sky with temps dropping to minus 10 at 2,000m up early at 08:30 to start skinning on S facing slopes and then descend after three to fours hours in nice spring snow that has transformed in the sun.
Meanwhile all the happy holiday makers can wake up later and ski superb courdroy groomed pistes in the morning, working out if they can to ski slopes that gradually warm up then they can have a nice long lunch on the verranda and everyone is happy
Last edited by So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much  on Wed 5-03-14 18:11; edited 1 time in total
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You know it makes sense.
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Even if the FL is high if it's clear the refreeze will be much lower .
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| Weathercam wrote: |
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Meanwhile all the happy holiday makers can wake up later and ski superb courdroy groomed pistes in the morning, working out if they can to ski slopes that gradually warm up then they can have a nice long lunch on the verranda and everyone is happy |
Sounds good to me. Many of us are 'happy holiday makers' and don't have the luxury of being able to live in the mountains. We can only dream.
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Poster: A snowHead
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NE1, by "happy holiday makers" I was referring to the many skiers who only ski the piste, and in sunshine 
I know plenty of people who come out for their "week" and will be ski touring and the like and know that rain in the valley (which can happen in the Spring) can be powder up top
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Wed 5-03-14 18:23; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Jeez, spring causes this every year....
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You see next week every one will be moaning about how heavy the snow on the piste is in the afternoon, and how off piste will be leg breaking sludge rolling eyes
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Not me I won't. It seems to have done this every year for the last 30 that I've been there so I'm a bit used to it now.
and if it makes you happier, meteociel are showing gfs as predicting the possible collapse of the high and return on colder weather around the 21st (we'll see what comes after)
http://modeles.meteociel.fr/modeles/gfs/runs/2014030512/gfs-1-384.png?12
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Wed 5-03-14 18:24; edited 1 time in total
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| pam w wrote: |
There's been so much snow and gloom and fog and low flying cloud for much of this season I think a spot of sunshine sounds delightful. Snow depths in many areas, including mine, are above average but I suspect that as I will be going back mid-month that's when the LFC will be back.
Forecasting isn't bollux but believing a computer-generated estimate of how many centimetres of snow is going to fall on your local spot probably is. |
No doubt that post makes you one of the people supposedly "moaning about how heavy the snow on the piste is in the afternoon" and "pining for uber warm sunny conditions". Whereas I know that's not the case, nor are you one of the people whom Weathercam so patronisingly refers to as "happy holiday makers."
One of the things I love about nozawaonsen's posts are their cool and objective tone, which recognizes that not everyone's requirements are the same.
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One of the things that drives me nuts on here is people being told to relax, don't be silly, that if the weather is sunny and warm it will be a nice holiday etc.
For those who want sunny piste cruising that is great, and don't get me wrong I will have fun, but I like many others would be much happier to have cold, heavy snow and low vis (obviously Id love nightly dumps and daily sunshine, but we have to be realistic!). Its a bit like saying enjoy the cosy atmosphere and the great snow when its zero vis and dumping it down.
Good advice is definitely to enjoy yourself no matter what, your on holiday after all, but thats not going to stop many of us checking the weather every few hours and praying for snow/sun cold/warm!
PS If anyone wants guaranteed minimal snowing and sunny warm conditions just give me a shout and Ill let you know when and where I am going, your guaranteed to get your wish 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| Rob Mackley wrote: |
| Even if the FL is high if it's clear the refreeze will be much lower . |
This is important. If you look at the meteogram for the are near to Alpe d'Huez you can see how clear the conditions will be over the next week.
http://www.wetterzentrale.de/pics/MS_060450_g05.png
Although it will be mild overnight the temperature will fall below freezing every night at at least 1679m. The refreeze will be aided by nocturnal radiation from the snowpack.
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| Quote: |
One of the things I love about nozawaonsen's posts are their cool and objective tone, which recognizes that not everyone's requirements are the same.
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and recognises also that helpful and accurate weather forecasting and interpretation of the models has absolutely zilch to do with anybody's "requirements" however desperately they might be expressed. 
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I look on the progress of weather forecasts like a good detective novel where the last chapter is hidden until you get there.
So, possible culprits keep changing, there are surprises and disappointments, but you can't change the outcome, so just enjoy the ride.
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pam w, Jonpim, agreed
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Temperatures will start warming up quite rapidly over the next few days, though overnight clear skies should see temperatures drop again (that said overnight low will rise too over the next week).
Looking at the meteograms low cloud about in the east today and isolated parts of the west. Generally very sunny weather should take hold across the whole Alps from tomorrow, if not later today, possibly some high cloud on Saturday.
Some suggestions of a more northerly influence returning around mid month, but no real confidence in that at this stage.
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