This winter has been rather disappointing with a below average snow cover in the Vienna region. However, beginning with last weekend a significant dump delivered up to 100 cm new snow. Accordingly, total snow heights went up to the roof. Niederalpl (Styria) reported a total snow cover of 190 cm yesterday evening, Hochkar (Lower Austria) reported 220 cm and Brunnalm/Veitsch (Styria) reported 120 cm.

The region around the traditional ski resort Semmering (just about 70 km south of Vienna) was again a winter wonder land covered by a deep layer of fresh snow.

Hotel Panhans. Winter wonderland at the Semmering

Though the rising temperatures with freezing levels of up to 2000 m are soon going to degrade the new powder into heavy and wet snow a good spring ski season around Vienna seems finally to be secured.

Of course, the snow masses mean higher avalanche dangers. The avalanche service of Styria reports a danger level of 4 for the northern part of Styria.

The Styrian Avalanche Warning Service issued its first regional avalanche warning report of the new season 2009/2010 this day. The northern parts of Styria (Ennstaler Alpen, Obersteiermark) now have an avalanche danger of level 1 (meaning low risk).

The influx of wet and cold air masses from the arctic North has already resulted in a significant snow pack. Snow depth is about one meter at 2000 m elevation. The automatic snow station at the Loser in the Salzkammergut (elevation 1501 m) reports 88 cm at 8 p.m. today. The strong winds build up large snow drifts. Hence, the risk of snow slabs in steep areas below ridges has to be evaluated.

Additional snow falls (again with heavy winds) are forecast for the following days. It can be expected that avalanche danger is going to rise due to this new, wind-affected snow. Temperatures are around -7 to -9 degrees (Celsisus) at 1500m and the snow line is going to decrease further (locally to about 200m!). Pretty sudden and strong (temporary) advent of winter.

After a long period of mild weather with too warm temperatures it finally started to snow in the mountains. The higher areas of the Schneeberg were already white with some snow and the temperature at the summit (see Schneeberg webcams) dropped well below zero Celsius during the course of the day. And it is forecast to get even colder with a decreasing snow line. Precipitation should be significant with snow as low as 500 m or even lower. Some forecasts speak about up to one meter of precious snow. The specific meteorological setting which brings this welcomed change is explained in a detailed forum discussion of the snow event October 2009 (in German).

Though the odds are high that there will be the usual setbacks of warm weather periods this first glimpse of winter helps to get into the right mood for the coming skiing season.

By the way, almost exactly one year ago my buddies Gernot and Ronald enjoyed fresh autumn powder at the Schneeberg. The following photos were made by Gernot at October, 5th 2008.

Schneeberg, autumn colors and the first glimpse of winter

Schneeberg, first ski tracks