The weather front announced in recent days lived up to expectations and brought snow and frost to the whole of the north. Snow accompanied by very strong winds (almost like those of the Siberian steppe) swept across the north, with snow both in the mountains and on the plains. Snowfall in the big northern cities such as Turin, Milan, Bologna and even Genoa, heavy snowfall in the Cuneo area (up to 50cm) and snowflakes in the north-east.
The clouds have already started moving towards the Apennines, where the first accumulations are already being recorded. Heavy snowfall on the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, with over 50cm of fresh snow on Abetone.
The weather front will keep bringing snow and icy winds until Sunday, with widespread snowfall across central and southern Italy. Snow is expected down to hill and plain level along the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian coasts.
The snow could even reach the capital, bringing back the magnificent images of the snow-covered Colosseum, something that doesn’t happen often!
Snowfall in the mountains
The snow that is paralyzing the big cities of the north has also fallen on the Alpine ski resorts. Accumulations varied from area to area: in the Aosta Valley and Piedmont about 30cm of snow fell, while in Lombardy only 5-10cm, with greater depths only at altitude. Snow in South Tyrol too, but only a light dusting in Veneto at Asiago, while the Belluno area stayed dry once again.
Things are better on the Apennines, where 50cm of fresh snow has been recorded on Abetone and more snowfall is forecast in the coming hours.
Polar frost on the way: -20 degrees already at 1,000 meters.
After the snow comes the frost, the real kind. Experts forecast a sharp drop in temperatures, with -20 degrees already at 1,000 meters above sea level and -30/-35 at 2,000/2,500 meters.
Severe frost is expected in places historically known for the cold, such as the Asiago Plateau and Livigno, but hard frosts will also hit the plains, with -10 degrees forecast in all the northern cities.
What we are experiencing right now is real winter; there’s no knowing how long it will last or whether it is just the last gasp of a winter season stingy with snow and cold. But of one thing we are certain: it is now too late to save the ski season…
Useful links:
Snow webcams – Snow report – Ordinances on mandatory snow chains on board, information from the State Police
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