The long-awaited “start-of-season” snowfall has run its course and now the clouds are leaving the Alps to reach the Apennine mountains.
As forecast, the snow reached all the ski resorts, but with results slightly different from what was expected. The snowfall was not abundant and the front left our mountains quickly, so much so that the sun is already shining over some ski areas. Most of the snow fell on the border mountains (as expected) but above all beyond the Alps: in Austria, accumulations at medium altitudes are equal to those recorded at high altitude in the Italian mountains. Snow in Switzerland too, good news for St. Moritz, which is getting ready for the opening of the Diavolezza ski lifts this very Saturday.
The most significant precipitation was recorded in the north-east, in the Tarvisio area, where the snowfall reached the town at 700 m and accumulations of 40-50 cm of snow were recorded higher up; good news also in Trentino Alto Adige, where the snow settled at around 1,200-1,500 m, with snowfall down to 1,000 m
Snowfall in Veneto too, where the snow whitened Cortina and Monte Verena (1,600 m), bringing snow down to 1,300 m on the Asiago Plateau.
Snow at Passo Resia
Just a few flakes in the Aosta Valley
The Aosta Valley was one of the regions most eagerly awaiting this snowfall: its distinctive mountain territory, with its high-altitude ski lifts, is all set to open the season; the only problem is the snow. While in previous years there was never any shortage of snow, this year it seems the Snow Queen has forgotten about this region.
Here the snowfall brought the first flakes as early as yesterday evening, whitening Cervinia and the whole Monterosa, only to stop during the night and leave the ski resorts empty-handed. Just a thin white blanket on the ground, which is already disappearing with the first rays of sunshine. Cervinia and the whole Aosta Valley remain dry, and it was not only the lower altitudes that suffered but the highest lifts too. Just a light dusting even at 2,700 m, which makes this a missed opportunity.
The Cervinia ski season will still begin on October 29 thanks to the Plateau Rosà Glacier (3,800 m), but the dream of also opening the lifts lower down the valley fades away.
Weather outlook
In the coming hours the front will move south, leaving only a few scattered snowfalls over Friuli and part of Trentino Alto Adige. The Apennines are waiting for what could be the first snow of the season, which should put in an appearance at around 1,400-1,600 m.
As early as tomorrow the skies will begin to clear over the Alps, bringing the mountains back to autumnal weather, but there is nothing to worry about: there are several ski areas getting ready to open their ski lifts…
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