Up to 50cm of Snowfall Expected In The Alps
Up to 50cm of Snowfall Expected In The Alps
Published : 21-Oct-2017 07:26
Snowfall forecasting models are predicting up to 50cm of snow to fall on high slopes in the Alps over the coming 48 hours. The snowfall is expected to reach lower elevations in smaller volumes.
Already-open glacier ski areas could see powder conditions for the start of next week.
The wave of snowfall is the fifth major snowstorm since the start of September in the Alps, although snow depths are still recovering from the big summer thaw which completely melted cover from glacial ice in July and August.
Most areas are expected to get around 40cm of snow if forecasts are correct, with about 30cm/a foot of that expected to fall on Sunday.
There are currently 17 ski areas open in the Alps, all but one (Kitzbuhel) with glacier skiing. More than half of the open areas are in Austria with three in Italy, four in Switzerland and Tignes in France.
The latest to open is the Diavolezza glacier near St Moritz which opened today. The centre brought in a performance artist to play the part of 'La Diavolezza' a legendary 'she devil' of the glacier to celebrate.
Les 2 Alpes in France had planned to open for 10 days as of today but cancelled that plan a few week ago due to lack of cover.
Forecasters say Kitzbuhel, which last weekend and this has opened a run using snow saved from last season, could get up to 40cm of fresh snow on top.
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