Unsettled weather continues across the Alps; in recent days they have been hit by both snow and rain, with a fluctuating snow line that dropped below 1,500 meters at night while rising above 2,000 meters during the day, without significant accumulations except in a few resorts in Aosta Valley.
Starting tomorrow, the tune changes as a cold wave arrives and causes temperatures to plummet, which—combined with the weather system stalled over Italy—means low-altitude snow.
For the Alps, snow will finally fall below that fateful 1,000 m mark, which until now had only been crossed in a few areas of the northwest. It is precisely from the northwest that the flow of freezing air will enter, destined not only to reach the far eastern borders of the Alpine arc, but also to touch the Apennines.
Snow forecast for Thursday, November 21, 2013 -> The snowiest ski resorts
- Panarotta : 144 cm
- Passo del Brocon : 120 cm
- San Martino di Castrozza : 118 cm
- Ski center Latemar : 100 cm
- Polsa San Valentino : 91 cm
- Folgaria : 89 cm
- Marmolada : 85 cm
- Arabba : 83 cm
- Pozza di fassa : 80 cm
- Asiago : 77 cm
Heavy snowfall is forecast across many resorts, with the heaviest snow concentrated on Thursday, November 21.
Snow at 1,000 m in the Apennines
The ski season starts earlier in the Alps, but a snowfall in the Apennines is always welcome. The freezing air will also hit central and southern Italy, bringing snow to their ski resorts, where the snow line could reach 1,000 meters for the first time.
General Winter is here! Temperatures plummeting after the snow
Not just snow, but also freezing cold. This essential ingredient has perhaps been the biggest absentee so far; while snow has already dusted the Alps, freezing cold has been missing up to now.
Once the snowfalls in the Alps subside, frost will reign supreme once again, with temperatures plunging starting next week, and freezing temperatures could even reach the plains toward the end of November.
Ski lift openings, last call?
For now, ski lift openings remain a tricky topic: snow is lacking, and even where it has fallen it is scarce or insufficient to guarantee a reliable start to the season.
Ski resorts are hoping for a turnaround, especially in terms of temperatures; artificial snowmaking is now a crucial component in slope preparation, and the lack of sub-zero temperatures keeps it off-limits.
Live updates on the snow webcams page and the Snow Forecast and Report page
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