Huge Snowstorm Hits the Alps
22nd December 2024
The latest storm started on Saturday evening in the north west Alps and is set to deliver very significant quantities of snow over the next couple of days.
There will be high winds which will impact where the snow stays and will lead to avalanche danger.
We have updated this report with details and help from weathertoski.co.uk
Areas that will see significant snowfalls include the northern French Alps:
- Tignes
- Courchevel
- Les Arcs
- Flaine
- Avoriaz
- Chamonix
Much of Switzerland excluding the far south:
- Verbier
- Wengen
- Mürren
- Engelberg
- Laax
- Klosters
The far west of Austria:
- Lech
- St Anton
“These areas will likely see another 60-80cm of new snow quite widely above 1,800m between now and Tuesday, with well over 1m in some favoured spots such as the Austrian Arlberg,” said Fraser Wilkin from weathertoski.co.uk
“Bear in mind this is in addition to the 10-40cm that has already fallen across many northern parts of the Alps over the last couple of days.”
PlanetSKI has been in Verbier this past week.
Verbier, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI
PlanetSKI editor, James Cove, was in the thick of it after the first storm:
As well as the snow in the latest storm there will also be very cold temperatures with snow down to valley level in many places.
The temperature will remain low for much of the week.
Here’s the scene at 750m in the Swiss Alps this weekend.
The Valais, Switzerland, Image © PlanetSKI
The cold temperatures will help preserve the snow and keep it light – ideal for skiing and snowboarding.
Italy is set to largely miss out on the action, except for the far north-west of the country and the resorts in the Aosta Valley where 50cm could fall:
- La Thuile
- Courmayeur
- Cervinia
The southern Alps will see little snow, but they will see cold temperatures which will allow artificial snow to be made.
PlanetSKI has been monitoring the situation direct from the Alps in recent weeks:
- Good conditions in the run up to Xmas
- Excellent snow conditions in large parts of the Alps & Pyrenees
- Heavy snow set to fall in the Alps
With the snow coming in there will be some excellent conditions in places for Xmas and the New Year once the storm passes.
It further solidifies one of the best starts to a ski season in recent years at altitude.
Verbier, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI
PlanetSKI will be updating on what exactly the storm delivers over the next few days and if the forecast proves to be correct, so do check back.
Meanwhile, if you’re heading across the Atlantic to ski, it’s none too shabby there either.
Do check back…
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