Jump to content
Snow?
Local
Radar
Cold?
IGNORED

The Alps Snow thread Season 2013-14


J10

Recommended Posts

Looking at some webcams, some areas have seen their first snowfalls of the winter. 

 

http://www.snoweye.com/?resort=fr_lesarcs

 

http://www.snoweye.com/?resort=ch_wildhaus

 

http://www.snoweye.com/?resort=fr_alpehuez

 

http://www.snow-forecast.com/overviews/tips_full

Further snow is expected overnight.

Although this is short lived and the forecast is for milder weather, an appertiser for the forthcoming season nonetheless.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Another look at those webcams shows that the early snow has largely vanished as part of the milder Tropical Maritime flow from the South West. To be honest this is not particularly unusual for October snowfall to disappear as soon as it comes. Quite often the snow base tends to build from November onwards, especially in the 2nd half of the month.

 

Taking Alpe D'Heuz webcams - (Large Downloads) alpedhuez.livecam360.net/signal

 

Firstly on the 11th October, showing a decent amount of snow at 2100m, but even then some of this had thawed a bit by the end of the day.

 

post-213-0-72487900-1382185104_thumb.jpg post-213-0-81387400-1382185165_thumb.jpg

 

Secondly photo taken today and you can see the difference.

 

post-213-0-63184100-1382184989_thumb.jpg post-213-0-07069800-1382184907_thumb.jpg

Edited by J10
to match up photos to days
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

One thing I thought I'd add this year is a point of reference in terms of the locations of the mountains within Austria and Switzerland and also the bigger cities such as Berne and Vienna.

 

post-213-0-62638400-1382209186_thumb.jpg

 

So looking into next week, Bern keeps 850Hpa temps above +10c, so fresh snowfalls only for above 3300-3500m or so. (Indicative figures for Switzerland)

 

post-213-0-01860000-1382209460_thumb.jpg

 

So looking into next week, Vienna also keeps 850Hpa temps above +10c, so fresh snowfalls only for above 3300-3500m or so (indicative figures for Austria)

 

post-213-0-25694900-1382209463_thumb.jpg

 

Signs that for week 2, the 850Hpa temps dropping to around 5c, so some snowfall around 2000m or so, if the ensembes were correct.

 

It does seem that unless there is an immenent pattern change, that Alpine snow levels are not likely to improve before the start of November at the

earliest.

Edited by J10
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Another look ahead to the weather for the next week.

 

Anyone living in the UK cannot fail to have noticed that is has been mild for the time of year over the past week or so, rather and unsettled and wet admittedly but certainly mild. Winds have largely been from a South Westerly direction feeding a mild Tropical Maritime airflow for the UK and also for the Alps.

 

The Current position is rather similar, it is set to turn rather stormy over the next few over southern parts of the UK, and this low Pressure system on its backward edge is set to introduce cooler North Westerly winds with Returning Polar Maritime airflow over the Alps for a time midweek.

 

However this is the exception as milder South Westerly winds becoming increasingly dominant towards the weekend once again. No real signs either of this pattern changing into the following week.

Looking at the operational charts, 850HPa temps staying above +5c for the foreseeable future, and closer to +10c at times towards next weekend.

 

Looking at the Ensembles

 

Generally milder than average, but there is a cooler blip around midweek, with 850Hpa temps down to around +2 to +3c. So a chance of a little snow down to around 2000m during the mid part of next week.

 

post-213-0-33074300-1382790296_thumb.png

 

post-213-0-81365900-1382790297_thumb.png

 

 

Looking at the Alpe D'Heuz webcam at 2000m (link http://alpedhuez.livecam360.net/signal ) and the snow levels are similar, but with the snowline furhter up the mountain.

Edited by J10
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Latest Update

 

post-213-0-67907700-1383403476_thumb.png

 

post-213-0-40129100-1383403478_thumb.png

 

Signs of at least some cooler weather over the Alps for next week. . Winds this week and also for recent weeks have largely been from the South West bringing some Tropical Maritime air for the UK, which has seen a very mild CET for the whole of October, and also for the Alps. .

 

However for next week, more especially over the next few days, the wind direction is more of a Westerly / North Westerly direction, giving a bit cooler weather at times, with 850 HPa temps in the region 0-5c. However a bit short lived as winds return to more of a South Westerly direction by around Thursday, and this covering much of the upcoming weekend.

 

In terms of Freezing Levels, around 1500m for The Northern half of the Alps on Sunday and Tuesday. Back above 2500m by Wednesday, and over 3000m for parts of the South towards the weekend.

 

Looking at our featured resort. Alpe d'Heux 25-30cm of snow is possible at mid station by midweek, with a thaw likely after about Wednesday.

 

(link http://alpedhuez.livecam360.net/signal ) Currently snow levels very similar to last week.

 

If you are going on holiday this winter, please nominate a resort to be featured for this winter, especially if it has webcams with history for the winter.

Edited by J10
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted
  • Location: just south of Doncaster, Sth Yorks
  • Location: just south of Doncaster, Sth Yorks

snowing at altitude, 6000ft and above in the Jungfrau region and presumably in other parts of the Alps.

Link below

http://panocam.panomax.at/lauberhorn

 

Scottish ski resorts also

http://www.winterhighland.info/snowreports/index.php?resort=cg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted
  • Location: Twickenham or roving in Alps
  • Weather Preferences: snow
  • Location: Twickenham or roving in Alps

Hi Everyone, as things are starting to get interesting in the Alps I am now updating daily on www.weathertoski.co.uk and hope to contribute more to this thread this season. Back soon!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK
  • Weather Preferences: Northeasterly Blizzard and sub zero temperatures.
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK

Hello,

 A lot of moisture over the Alps at the moment. 35mm of rainfall forecast today and that converts to a lot of snowfall in our region around 1800m height and above.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As other have said some snowfall across the Alps above 1800m or so.

 

At the current designated resort, Alpe D'Heux moderate snowfalls as shown on today's webcam.

 

 

post-213-0-21869600-1383677454_thumb.jpg post-213-0-71932800-1383677400_thumb.jpg

 

It will be interesting to see how much of this week snow lasts given the forecast rise in temps, certainly the snowline will retreat up the mountians, but some of the snow is likely to stay.

Edited by J10
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted
  • Location: Twickenham or roving in Alps
  • Weather Preferences: snow
  • Location: Twickenham or roving in Alps

As other have said some snowfall across the Alps above 1800m or so.

 

At the current designated resort, Alpe D'Heux moderate snowfalls as shown on today's webcam.

 

 

Posted Imageimage(7).jpg Posted Imageimage(Posted Image.jpg

 

It will be interesting to see how much of this week snow lasts given the forecast rise in temps, certainly the snowline will retreat up the mountians, but some of the snow is likely to stay.

 

Hi, yes, lots of snow falling across the Alps again tonight, particularly in the north but with warmer air edging in the rain/snow limit (currently between 1100-1400m) will rise to 2000 or higher by Wednesday morning. More snow is likely at the weekend but any falls to lower levels will again be temporary. Whatever the case, an impressive base is starting to form at high altitude particularly in the west. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted
  • Location: Twickenham or roving in Alps
  • Weather Preferences: snow
  • Location: Twickenham or roving in Alps

I'll be doing an update on my site shortly but as expected there has been a lot of snow at altitude across the Alps overnight. Milder today with the rain/snow limit around 2300m in the western Alps, still 1500m (roughly) in the eastern Alps but rising. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK
  • Weather Preferences: Northeasterly Blizzard and sub zero temperatures.
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK

I'll be doing an update on my site shortly but as expected there has been a lot of snow at altitude across the Alps overnight. Milder today with the rain/snow limit around 2300m in the western Alps, still 1500m (roughly) in the eastern Alps but rising. 

 

A lot of moisture in the Eastern Alps at the moment. Snowfall, heavy and wet with current freezing level at 1600m and -3c at 2000m level.

C

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted
  • Location: Twickenham or roving in Alps
  • Weather Preferences: snow
  • Location: Twickenham or roving in Alps

post-18264-0-39813500-1383742699_thumb.jA lot of moisture in the Eastern Alps at the moment. Snowfall, heavy and wet with current freezing level at 1600m and -3c at 2000m level.

C

 

Sure does look filthy there today! This camshot of the Hohe Tauern region sums it up nicely! 

Edited by weathertoski
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK
  • Weather Preferences: Northeasterly Blizzard and sub zero temperatures.
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK

Sure does look filthy there today! This camshot of the Hohe Tauern region sums it up nicely! 

 

Snowfall settling. This shot at 1600m looking up Katschberg Mountain.post-3489-0-00931900-1383748123_thumb.jp

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK
  • Weather Preferences: Northeasterly Blizzard and sub zero temperatures.
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK

Morning, warm moist air presently producing a lot of precipitation with snowfall line between 1600 and 2000m. Later today temperature profile will lower with snowline reducing towards 1000m. Some heavy falls of snow likely above 1500m by the end of the day. Monday is expected to be very windy in the Southern Alps. The rest of the week will see a lowering of temperatures with some snow flurries in this part of the Alps, so hopefully we will see the start of a base forming on the marked pistes above 1500m.

 C

Link to comment
Share on other sites

An update from last week, firstly by looking at the Ski Club of GB latest report.

 

http://www.snow-forecast.com/overviews/tips_full

 

This just confirms the pattern of this week, that there have been some snowfalls over the Alps over the past seven days, more especially as ever at the higher runs, 1500-2000m being the level of a new base forming.

 

So looking ahead with a quick look at the wind direction and pressure patterns over the Alps for this coming week.

 

Sunday Low Pressure to the South East of the Alps, Northerly flow for the Western Alps, Southerly flow for the Eastern Alps. By Monday, the low pressure moves further to the South East, with a strong East/North breeze across the Alps. By midweek, the East/North East winds remaining but much winds easing with High pressure to the North of the Alps. the winds briefly turning Northerly on Thursday before reverting back to Easterly/North Easterly by the weekend.

 

Temps 850HPa – with winds largely from the East / North East, coldest in the North and East, mildest in the South and West, but generally colder than recently.

Sunday 0 (NW) to +3 (S)

Monday -4c (N) to +1c (Far SW), but sub zero generally,

Tuesday +3c (N) to +8 (Far SW),

Wednesday -2c (N) to +7 (Far SW),

Thursday -1c (N) to +7 (Far SW),

Friday -3c to +2c (SW)

 

Further snowfalls are possible for the next few days (30cm in places) and with the low 850HPA temps, the snow base becoming well established for Northern resorts, for southern resorts any new snow may thaw a bit at lower levels around midweek.

 

But generally snow amounts should be greater in the next 7 days to what they are at present.

 

According to ensembles, 850HPA below +5c, and below zero for Sunday/Monday and towards the weekend.

post-213-0-18670300-1384004287_thumb.png

post-213-0-70978100-1384004288_thumb.png

 

This doesn't really pick up the North South split.

Edited by J10
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK
  • Weather Preferences: Northeasterly Blizzard and sub zero temperatures.
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK

Thanks Carinthian, always good to have people on the ground to give actual reports of snow conditions.

 

Hi Julian,

Good snowfall now accumulating and freezing level dropping from the west. Currently 0c in the village.

Just hope the colder forecast condition remain in this area for the coming week with the snow remaining. Maybe enough to start piste making soon with the help of snow blowers during the coming nights. About 4 weeks before guests arrive for the start of the winter sports season. Getting excited now. The quest and pleasure of living in snow does not wane as you get older ! I am just plain bonkers about the stuff. Enjoy your reports.

 Cpost-3489-0-38969200-1384005688_thumb.jppost-3489-0-20997100-1384005702_thumb.jp

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I thought I'd add a Swiss web cam, to see how the snow situation is doing there.

 

In the process I found this website, giving a list of 360 cams across the Alps

 

http://www.livecam360.com/webcams-360/6/suisse/

 

In particular I found this web cam El Paradiso, at 2000m high up over St Moritz.

 

http://elparadiso.roundshot.ch/

 

With snow over the past few days, it looks stunning, without snow a few days ago it looked stunning.

 

Midweek - post-213-0-73789000-1384027250_thumb.jpg

 

Today  -  post-213-0-73088200-1384027276_thumb.jpg

 

Conversely there has been a bit of a thaw of the midweek snow at Alpe D'Heuz

 

post-213-0-59083400-1384028479_thumb.jpg

 

 

Edited by J10
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted
  • Location: newent glos. 50 metres asl
  • Location: newent glos. 50 metres asl

Tignes seems to be getting a lot of snow at the mo would post a pic but on my phone. I will b there in jan cant wait.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK
  • Weather Preferences: Northeasterly Blizzard and sub zero temperatures.
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK

Hi Julian,

Good snowfall now accumulating and freezing level dropping from the west. Currently 0c in the village.

Just hope the colder forecast condition remain in this area for the coming week with the snow remaining. Maybe enough to start piste making soon with the help of snow blowers during the coming nights. About 4 weeks before guests arrive for the start of the winter sports season. Getting excited now. The quest and pleasure of living in snow does not wane as you get older ! I am just plain bonkers about the stuff. Enjoy your reports.

 CPosted Imagedownload.jpgPosted Imagetellerlift.jpg

 

Morning,

 Good snowfall building up, nearly 12 inches in 18 hours.post-3489-0-93969200-1384086046_thumb.jp

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK
  • Weather Preferences: Northeasterly Blizzard and sub zero temperatures.
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK

Good Morning,

 A raw day here with snow cover that is partially melting in the freeze /thaw conditions we presently have at the moment. Turning milder again early next week with some snow and colder conditions returning by Wednesday.

Found this picture of a early morning shot of the Matterhorn above Zermatt village taken 2 years ago.

Calm before the storm. Good shot off the snow being blown of the summit ! Fabulous village location.post-3489-0-37645600-1384430657_thumb.jp

Edited by carinthian
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted
  • Location: just south of Doncaster, Sth Yorks
  • Location: just south of Doncaster, Sth Yorks

nice photo Paul-it does look like the snow is going to arrive for most Alpine villages down to fairly low levels, about a week or so later than last year, at least in my area of interest. Just 9 weeks or thereabouts for me to be outh in Wengen-lucky you.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK
  • Weather Preferences: Northeasterly Blizzard and sub zero temperatures.
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK

nice photo Paul-it does look like the snow is going to arrive for most Alpine villages down to fairly low levels, about a week or so later than last year, at least in my area of interest. Just 9 weeks or thereabouts for me to be outh in Wengen-lucky you.

 

Hi John. not long now for your annual fix. Yep, we hope to start working on a piste base soon. Currently, freeze/ thaw conditions, which is not ideal but the longer term forecasts for the middle of next week look encouraging. Looks like parts of the UK will get some early seasonal snowfall during first part of next week. Will be ski touring in Champoluc, Monte Rosa region in 9 weeks, never been to that part of the Alps before.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK
  • Weather Preferences: Northeasterly Blizzard and sub zero temperatures.
  • Location: Ski Amade / Pongau Region. Somtimes Skipton UK

Snowing nicely this morning with the snow level down to the valley at 1000m.post-3489-0-26953600-1384513133_thumb.jp

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • UK Storm and Severe Convective Forecast

    UK Severe Convective & Storm Forecast - Issued 2024-03-29 07:13:16 Valid: 29/03/2024 0600 - 30/03/2024 0600 THUNDERSTORM WATCH - FRI 29 MARCH 2024 Click here for the full forecast

    Nick F
    Nick F
    Latest weather updates from Netweather

    Difficult travel conditions as the Easter break begins

    Low Nelson is throwing wind and rain at the UK before it impacts mainland Spain at Easter. Wild condtions in the English Channel, and more rain and lightning here on Thursday. Read the full update here

    Netweather forecasts
    Netweather forecasts
    Latest weather updates from Netweather

    UK Storm and Severe Convective Forecast

    UK Severe Convective & Storm Forecast - Issued 2024-03-28 09:16:06 Valid: 28/03/2024 0800 - 29/03/2024 0600 SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH - THURS 28 MARCH 2024 Click here for the full forecast

    Nick F
    Nick F
    Latest weather updates from Netweather
×
×
  • Create New...