The storm system dubbed “Cleopatra” is about to leave the Alps: the sun has already reclaimed the skies over western resorts, and by this evening the clouds will have cleared the north-central and northeastern sectors as well.
This mid-October storm leaves behind a winter landscape with snow down to 1,400 m. Everything began on Sunday evening when the first flakes started falling on resorts across the border and along the border areas of the Aosta Valley. By Monday morning, heavy clouds had already covered much of the Alps and heavy snowfalls were dumping snow just like in mid-winter, though only above 2,000 m.
Yesterday was marked by heavy snowfalls at high altitude and heavy rain below 1,800 m, with abundant snow on the glaciers as both the Stelvio and Presena experienced intense snowfall that brought up to 50 cm of snow. Snow fell in Cervinia, including in the village center, snow fell on the Monte Rosa massif, and above all very heavy snowfalls hit neighboring countries such as Switzerland and Austria.
Sunrise over the snow-covered Matterhorn - October 16
Late in the evening, the snow line began dropping rapidly thanks to a temperature drop, bringing snow first to 1,800 m and then flakes down to 1,600 m, but it was overnight between Monday and Tuesday that “Cleopatra” delivered its best, dumping up to 20 cm across the Alps in resorts above 1,400 m in altitude.
Abundant snow fell in Arabba, Plan de Corones, Madonna di Campiglio, and Andalo Paganella, with flakes even reaching the Prealps and lightly dusting the peaks of Folgaria.
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- Sunrise over the snow-covered Matterhorn – October 16
Widespread frost, -7 degrees in the high mountains
The stormy weather then gave way to freezing cold, with temperatures well below zero in the high mountains and frost down to 1,200 m. On the glaciers, the abundant snow that fell in recent hours has been “locked in” by low temperatures which, according to experts, should persist at least through today before returning overnight.
In the coming hours the sun will once again take center stage, but for now let’s enjoy this taste of winter!
Check out the webcams: www.mondoneve.it/meteo-neve
The fresh snowfalls could allow new lifts to open; stay informed by visiting the ski lift openings section
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