An Alpine Winter Wonderland And The Different Forms Of White Frost

Peter Engelmann, January 2025

Trees, Bushes, and grass frozen with layers of hoarfrost are great motives. Landscape photographers love these meteorological phenomena because they create fantastic, enchanted landscapes. True magic Winter Wonderland.

On January 1, 2025, such extraordinary scenery could be explored in an Alpine Valley close to the famous Ettal-monastery in Bavaria.

The Graswang Valley is always a spectacular spot for photographers and filmmakers. It begins with a grand rocky mountains-like scenery and a road leads to one of the fairytale-king Ludwig II’s beloved castles, Linderhof.

It’s no wonder the region has a reputation as a romantic fairytale country that also inspired artists. It is in midst of the nature park Ammergauer Alps. Here is the highly recommended website for further informations: https://www.ammergauer-alpen.de/

But some days make it even more fascinating and let us forget our modern rational world even if a lot of traffic due to tourism is never far away.

Weather plays a huge part in this.

Around Christmas and New Year 2025, Middle Europe and Southern Germany were under a long-lasting high-pressure system and a so-called inversion layer. This means that temperatures on top of mountains were higher and temperatures in valleys or lower parts of the country remained low. These inversion layers in Winter lead to a lot of fog.

The fog is very different: It can be more like clouds when there is high fog (low stratus). Mountain highs are often above this fog and from atop the fog it looks like a sea of fog. Or it is a grey cloud cover if you are in a valley. Sometimes there are sheets of ground fog with limited sight or constant changes with a milky sun breaking through the fog over midday.

Wet areas like bog or stream valleys often create their own microclimate with fog. In the Graswang valley, there is not only the Ammer but a number of springs and lots of smaller streams coming from the mountains and wetlands – perfect conditions for fog and hoarfrost.

But why do these layers of ice-crystals around trees and branches so thick?

One possibility:

Fog creates its special sort of hoarfrost which is in German called “Raueis”, ROUGH ICE. It is a bit different than the original hoar frost.

Rough Ice emerges when fog freezes. Fog consists of very small water droplets. If these droplets come in contact with colder surfaces rough ice is created whereas hoar frost is a frozen precipitation of water vapor in ice form. 

Rough Ice and rime are hexagonal crystals of frozen water. The bond between hydrogen and oxygen creates this hexagonal shape, which is transparent but appears white due to the diffuse reflection.

This makes hoar frost and rough ice so fascinating for photographers. Combined with some snow and stable cold weather conditions which add more and more ice crystals we can experience these magical landscapes.

If you want to take such pictures it’s good to follow weather reports – and often be there in the morning. The sun usually melts the ice on the trees quickly.

Topography

One of the special circumstances here in the valley is that during winter the sun never reaches the bottom of the valley in some parts. So, if you look for these types of scenery a valley or gorge with a stream where in Winter the shadow of the mountains is there all day is a good option. The valley runs from the West to the East and has openings here to the East which affects airflow too.

Cold temperatures and shadow all day on the Southern side of the valley.

Great motives in the neighbourhood: Ettal Abbey

Always worth a visit. The Ettal Abbey is close to the Graswang valley. The Ettal Abbey was found in 1330. Today 50 monks live in the Benedictine monastery. The impressive building is a baroque rebuilding after the original building was destroyed. On the other side the road through the Graswang valley leads to the famous Linderhof Castle, the German austrian border and the Plansee, a long alpine lake.

DIRECTIONS

The Graswang Valley is accessible from Garmisch Partenkirchen, from Oberammergau and from Reutte, Tyrol.

Trains stop in Garmisch Partenkirchen and Oberammergau. From Oberammergau there is a bus, Line 9622. During summer a special attraction is the “Ringbus” a special bus for tourists and hikers starting in Oberau.

by Waldmeister Categories: natural wonders, Seasons Winter, Travel Tip, Uncategorized, WinterTags: , , , ,

OROGRAPHIC CLOUDS AND A BREATHTAKING VIEWPOINT ABOVE GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN IN BAVARIA

Peter Engelmann, December 2024

The world-known Olympic town of Garmisch Partenkirchen is famous for Germany’s highest mountain Zugspitze, breathtaking gorges, and its spectacular scenery.

But it also has its unique weather phenomena. Similar to the Matterhorn the Zugspitze is a place where certain stationary orographic clouds as Banner clouds and Stratocumulus lenticularis or  Altocumulus Standing Lenticular Clouds can be seen.

These orographic clouds are of particular interest to photographers as they add a unique and magical atmosphere to landscape photography.

STRATOCUMULUS LENTICULARIS

Stratocumulus lenticularis are sometimes looking like Ufo’s and were indeed mistaken for them but they are orographic clouds often connected with the Foehn phenomenon (even Foehn winds are not necessary). 

In December 2024 on a fantastic winter day, there was this stack of pancakes cloud near Zugspitze. 

But what are these mysterious clouds and what make them?

December 21, 2024: A cap on top of the Zugspitze

According to the National Weather Service Altocumulus Standing Lenticular Clouds are “associated with waves in the atmosphere that develop when relatively stable, fast-moving air is forced up and over a topographic barrier that is oriented more or less perpendicular to the direction from which the upper-level wind is blowing. This deflection creates a gravity wave downwind of the topographic barrier not unlike a wave you might generate by throwing a pebble into a pond. When sufficient moisture is present above the mountain-top level, ACSL clouds develop within the crest of these mountain waves where the air is rising. ACSL clouds are continually developing and dissipating in the vicinity of the wave's crest and immediately downwind of the crest, respectively. That is why they appear to remain stationary (hence the name) even though winds are swiftly (sometimes very swiftly) moving through the entire cloud.”

The phenomenon happens often in winter and here are some impressions of this December morning.

The orographic cloud later disappeared and in the afternoon a weather change ended the magical episode in the morning of December 21, 2024. 

But where to watch such interesting phenomena? The Zugspitze Mountain might be close but the opposite side of the valley is better suited for such observations: Here is the Wank-Mountain or the Kramer Mountain with a famous trail. At the flank of the Wank there is a stunning modern cabin with an excellent restaurant, the Tannenhuette. Here you can enjoy a breathtaking sight of the whole Zugspitz-Mountain-Range. The pyramid-shaped Alpspitze is prominently displayed.

A couple of trails lead from the old town of Partenkirchen to the Tannenhuette. The walk takes approximately one hour.

BANNER CLOUDS

But we also have to talk about other orographic clouds which can be seen here. So-called “Banner Clouds” appear also near Zugpitze or Matterhorn.

Like the Standing Lenticular Cloud, the Bannercloud is another orographic cloud which means they are related to the relief of the landscape.

Banner Clouds seem attached to the mountain and look like a flag or a banner. The clouds appear on the leeward side of the mountain where there is no wind. Their dynamics are a field of ongoing research. This type of cloud can also be seen in Mountains like the Matterhorn or the Zugspitze.

HOW TO GET TO THE VIEWPOINT?

A couple of ways lead to the Tannenhütte above Garmisch-Partenkirchen: One trail leads through the romantic Schalmeischlucht, a gorge, not comparable to the famous Partnach Gorge but with impressing rockfaces. All trails begin in the old town of Partenkirchen.

Partenkirchen: Traditional houses and the flair of a typical alpine town. The road leads to the start of the trail.

One of the trails leads to the wild and romantic Schalmei-Gorge. A real insider tip in Garmisch Partenkirchen

Another trail is easier and a broad path which is also the transport path for the cabin. This is certainly a safer choice in winter because the steep mountain trail in the Schalmeischlucht can easily become slippery. Shortly before the Tannenhuette, there is an impressive suspension bridge. Those who have problems with such types of bridges can take a walk around them and reach the cabin without problems. 

The other trail is easier and leads through a majestic mountain forest.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is easily accessible by train from Munich and Innsbruck. Particularly on weekends, the streets are very crowded, thus the train is a good option. Either take a footwalk to Partenkirchen or wait for the bus (Nr.4+5). Trails are leading further around the Wank Mountain massive. There is also a cable car to the top of the Wank.

The modern Tannenhütte is a fascinating destination also for those who are interested in contemporary alpine architecture.

A great scenic viewpoint for hikers, photographers, and videographers.

The whole Zugspitze Mountain range can be seen from here. In the middle is the Alpspitze.

Photographers appreciate the fantastic view over the whole of Garmisch Partenkirchen. The view extends far to the west.

by Waldmeister Categories: Seasons, Travel Tip, Uncategorized, Unusual Weather Phenoma, Weather lookout point, WinterTags: , ,

A Cinema Of Nature In The Bavarian Alps – The HÖRNLE MOUNTAIN

Peter Engelmann, October 13, 2024

Every mountain peak in the Alps is a great experience. But here is one that makes you feel like watching the green pastures of the countryside in front of the Alps from a seat on an airplane.

The Hoernle Mountain, which actually consists of three mountain peaks of different heights, sits at the beginning of the Ammergauer Mountains mountain range. It’s close to Bad Kohlgrub, a well-known Bavarian holiday destination and spa. From here, a steep path leads up to the mountain.

There is a fantastic panoramic viewpoint on top near the chairlift station. It’s special because there is nothing on the west, north, or east sides. Only on the south side and south-west are higher mountains. That little peak near the station and the cozy Hörnle cabin has been called Zeitberg since 2013.

The other Hörnle peaks require some walking, but that little peak already provides a unique experience. They call it a “nature 3d cinema”. Wooden banks invite you to stay. It is indeed a cinema in nature. It provides great opportunities for photographers and videographers.

You can see a couple of lakes from the mountaintop. To the northeast, there is Lake Staffelsee, a famous lake near Murnau where lots of artists live and where famous painters such as Gabriele Münter lived.

Another lake in the north is Starnberger See, the second largest lake in Bavaria. Between the lake and the mountains, there are villages, hills, and woodland. It’s good to have a day with some clouds which create an interplay of light and shadow. This adds to the impression of depth in landscape photography.

In the lower half of the picture is Bad Kohlgrub. A destination is known for its mud bath. The suspension railway starts from here. It is also the train stop for the train coming from Murnau, which heads then to Oberammergau.

The mountain path is steep but a great experience. Normally everyone can do it. But if you have problems walking down a steep path consider the suspension railway as an alternative.

A unique sight from the mountaintop is the chain of the Ammergauer Alps. This is a nature park and some areas resemble a wilderness, but it is also where the famous Linderhof castle is located. The Ammergauer Alps offer a lot of great experiences as the Grinding Mill Gorge (Schleifmühlenklamm).

What impressed me most on the mountaintop was the big sky. Yes, this is a cinema of nature. It’s fantastic to watch the clouds moving and constantly changing.

At the bottom of the picture above is the “Hörnle Schwebebahn”, an attraction itself. It’s called a suspension railway with a Double swivel chair. This is a unique construction like nowhere else: When you reach your destination you don’t need to jump away to avoid being hit by the chair like other chairlifts. The chairs rotate 90 degrees and you can walk away. The chairlift went into operation in 1954 and brought tourists within 20 minutes to the mountain top and the Hörnle-Cabin til today. It operates both in winter and in summer but check before if you plan your trip here.

The Hoerlen suspension railway is approximately a 25-minute walk from the train station Bad Kohlgrub. From Munich or Augsburg, you take the train to Murnau and change for the train to Oberammergau. The ride with the train is a great experience itself.

I strongly recommend checking weather conditions before: If it is rainy the steep path might be slippery and be careful if there is snow. There is a so-called “Winter path” but due to the steepness, I would be careful with that if you are not an experienced hiker.

by Waldmeister Categories: natural wonders, Travel Tip, Uncategorized

Devastating Super-Cell Storm in Upper Bavaria on July 10, 2024

Peter Engelmann, July 11, 2024

Weather services warned the day before and were right: In the afternoon of Wednesday, July 10, 2024, a severe weather system hit Bavaria with full force. One epicenter of the devastating storm was the municipality of Holzkirchen, South of Munich. Large hail, flooding, gale-force winds, and lightning left chaos amid rush-hour traffic.

Fire Starters had their hands full of work with flooded cellars and damaged roofs. Rail transport was interrupted and was down for hours. Many overturned trees blocked streets and rails. Passengers were trapped for hours.

In West Upper Bavaria and elsewhere the approaching weather system was an awesome sight:

Shortly before 3. pm, a drama unfolds in the sky. Note the different layers of clouds which seemed stacked above each other. After approximately 20 minutes the weather system came closer fast.

As with previous extreme weather situations this year the amount of rain was impressive. Streets were flooded within minutes. The super-cell storm is the last in a series of extreme weather events in 2024. In May a flood set whole villages near Augsburg under water after days of rain. Weather remains unstable for a longer time. The amount of rain and sudden flash floods underline the change in the atmosphere. A warmer atmosphere due to human-made climate change can contain more atmospheric humidity and lead to more extreme weather: Heat waves and flooding are the new normal.

This might be mistaken for a tornado but it is a low-hanging cloud.

The severe weather system has approached with interesting and unique cloud patterns. In some moments it looked like the clouds would hit the ground. The timelapse video below shows the chaos in the atmosphere. It got pretty dark shortly before the rain arrived. Since the cameras are not waterproof the coverage presents only the beginning of the arriving storm. When the storm arrived there was some lighting and intense rain for a long time.

Even though it was the middle of the day it got pretty dark.

Late in the day, the rain stopped and the sun appeared again. But the humidity was still high and more thunderstorms are expected for the next days. The temperature was a bit lower but climbed again on the next day. July is the typical month in middle Europe for hot temperatures and severe thunderstorms. They happen more likely in the mountainous terrain in Southern Germany. The super-cell storm like yesterday, which often starts in the area where the river Lech leaves the Alps is called “Lechtalerin”. Typically it intensifies on its path to the East. These types of supercells are often long-living and move a long way. They should never be underestimated.

Nevertheless, the weather phenomena on the north side of the Alps are a unique opportunity for photographers and filmmakers to take breathing images and portray the forces of nature. Timelapses are revealing movements and dynamics in the weather system. In this case, two cameras were used for the video, one shot in timelapse mode, the other in normal mode with 60 fps. The coverage of the normal video was accelerated. This method gives more options to get good footage of thunderstorms.

by Waldmeister Categories: Climate Change, Severe Weather, Stormchasing, Thunderstorm, Uncategorized