Snow at 1,000 meters in mid-May, up to 50cm in the Dolomites

Arriving slightly ahead of schedule, the Arctic storm system is currently bringing snow across much of the Alpine arc and part of the northern Apennines. While forecasts accurately predicted the unusual 1,000-meter snow line, few expected such impressive accumulations, with heavy snowfalls starting as low as 1,400 meters.

Snowflakes are falling just like in midwinter: intense and relentless snowfalls are sweeping across the entire central and northeastern sectors of the Alps, with snow falling down to 1,000 m. In the Dolomites, 50 cm of snow is already on the ground above 2,000 meters, and several Alpine passes are reporting traffic disruptions with snow-covered roads; heavy snowfalls are also hitting the Venetian Prealps, with substantial accumulations starting at 1,300 meters and winter landscapes even at 1,000 m.

Snow in the Dolomites - Arabba 1600 m asl

Snow halts the Giro d’Italia

Paying the price for this return of winter are not only agriculture and tourism, but also sport, with the Giro d’Italia forced to surrender just as the Pontedilegno–Val Martello stage was about to get underway. Heavy snowfalls have been battering Passo del Tonale—already blanketed a few days ago—for several hours, with road conditions and visibility compromised by a blizzard that seems endless, bringing heavy accumulations and midwinter temperatures.
Also at risk is the Tre Cime di Lavaredo stage, which will likely be rerouted to a lower town in the Belluno mountains.

Passo del Tonale May 24, 2013

Non-stop snow until Saturday night

Although the clouds arrived a few hours early, they are not set to leave us at least until Saturday night, when clear skies will finally break through the winter-postcard landscapes. Tomorrow, in fact, further heavy snowfalls and an even lower snow line are forecast.

Below are a few snapshots captured by webcams; for live images visit the snow weather page, and to follow live updates join the MondoNeve Facebook page or our MondoNeve Twitter channel