In the past 24 hours, snow has fallen in much of the Alps, but the amounts were disappointing compared to the already reduced model forecasts. In this update of Powder Alert 1, we check where the most fresh snow has fallen and zoom in on the Pyrenees, where a real snowstorm is raging. But also in parts Italy, significant regional snowfall is still possible.
Interim balance for the Alps: Regional dump in Austria
On Friday, snow mainly fell around and north of the main ridge in Austria. There was 10 to 40 mm of precipitation, which was mostly snow (10-35 cm) above 1500 meters. The focus was on the areas south and east of Salzburg. In Switzerland and the Northern French Alps, it was mostly 5-15 cm, and in the Southern Alps there is a cosmetic layer at best. Under the influence of a low-pressure area over France and one over Northern Italy (Genoa depression), it is still largely cloudy with occasional snow across the Alps today and Monday. In Tyrol and the far west of the French Alps, a further 5-15 cm may accumulate, less elsewhere. So, it is no longer about significant amounts, except for parts of Italy.
Italian dump mainly for southern areas
An intense precipitation area, associated with the Genoa low, is located over Northern Italy today and is pushing against the mountains with a southeasterly flow. Because the low is quite far south, most of the precipitation is limited to the extreme south of the Italian Alps and Dolomites, as clearly seen on the forecast map. In the south of Trentino and the east of Lombardy, 20 to 40 centimeters of snow is expected. The Brenta Dolomites and a strip over the southernmost mountain ridge from Lake Garda to Piancavallo seem to be best placed. Similar amounts are expected in the northern Apennines and the Dinaric Alps in Croatia. Precipitation quickly decreases towards the north and east, with the central Dolomites (Sella Massif and surroundings) and the Julian Alps in Slovenia likely receiving 10 to 20 cm. The snow line ranges from 1300 to 600 meters from west to east.
Blizzard in the Pyrenees, at least a meter of snow
A northerly flow over France and the Bay of Biscay is transporting active showers and thunderstorms that spread into an intense snow area against the northern side of the Pyrenees. This situation has been ongoing for almost 24 hours and will continue today and Monday. At higher altitudes, this is accompanied by a northwesterly storm, with Formiguères (1495m) recording a wind gust of 128 km/h this morning. These wind gusts above 100 km/h are likely to continue in the Pyrenees today, with the wind clearly decreasing on Monday. A few decimeters of snow have already fallen, and by Monday, the snow cover at various stations will likely exceed 100 cm. On the southern side, significantly less snow is expected, around 20 to 60 cm. The snow line ranges between 800 and 1200 meters, and above 1500 meters, the snow will be heavily drifted. Expect beautiful but also intense images from this region in the coming days.
Mostly Dry from Tuesday, More Sun Later in the Week
After Monday, the snow will be over for the time being. Due to the proximity of the Italian low-pressure area, there will still be a lot of cloud cover on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday and Friday, the air pressure will rise, allowing more room for the sun. It will remain on the cold side with a frost line between 1000 and 1500 meters in the afternoon and moderate to severe frost everywhere at night and early morning.
Where to go?
- The areas that already had a base have only received a modest refresh, and the snow cover around the peaks is quite windblown. So, don’t expect deep powder, but rather reasonable conditions above 1800 meters in areas like Tignes, Trois Vallées, Chamonix, Verbier, Davos-Klosters, and Arlberg.
- The Pyrenees will offer the best freeride opportunities in Europe next week, but it is still too dangerous in the coming days. The avalanche risk has already been raised to level 4 today and may even rise to 5 tomorrow. So, check how the situation develops next week, and perhaps you can enjoy the fresh powder between the trees on Tuesday or Wednesday already.
