John,
The area is between 700 metres to 1900 metres and most of the precipitation
in winter is snow. The hollow itself is much colder probably down to below
minus 25C. The hollow has a base at 1300 metres so it is covered in snow for
most or all of the winter in average years. Surrounding it are slopes up to
nearly 1900 metres, higher than any peak in Britain though modest in Alpine
terms. The latest temperature at 1500 metres is minus 16C at 23.00hrs. To
reach the frost hollow at the moment the way I went in August would be
impossible due to the snow conditions with the depth of snow at 2 metres.
We have heard that certain ski resorts have been in trouble in Scotland but
in this area of Austria snow has been wonderful in recent years and they are
extending their runs.
Enjoy this picture taken nearby to the hollow this morning at 10AM and you
will seen how beautiful and snowy it is. follow the link:-

http://www.wetterpanorama.at/niedero...hkar/bild5.jpg

Ian Currie- Coulsdon
www.frostedearth.com



"John Hall" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Ian Currie writes:
While the adrenaline is running high here with an almost hysterical
anticipation of impending cold weather[ this will increase in the coming
years as forecasts extend ever outwards thus building up more time to
speculate and contemplate] I have been monitoring so far this winter an
area
in Austria which is famous for its low temperatures, some 65 miles south
west of Vienna.
Imagine all the rain in December and January in Britain falling as snow.
Well this is what has happened in this area of Austria where the snow
depth
is approaching 2 metres or 6 feet, enough to satisfy all but the most
ardent
of snow fans on this new group.
snip

Since this is essentially a frost hollow, wouldn't a substantial
proportion of the precipitation be freezing rain rather than snow, where
there were above freezing temperatures above the pool of freezing air
close to the surface?
--
John Hall

"Whenever people agree with me I always feel I must be wrong."
Oscar Wilde