The far end of the Zillertal, beneath the Hintertux Glacier, August 31. Photo: panoramablick.com
When we published the latest edition of our snow report on Monday, we could see it coming – fresh snow in the Alps. Now it’s here: and it looks as though it’s going to be heavier than expected. It’s also falling at lower elevations than we first thought – down to about 2000m in places.
Below is the Welove2ski Alpine snow forecast for today, August 31: and if you look at Saturday’s weather map there’s more to come tomorrow and – possibly – a bit more on Monday. More than half a metre could fall in a few isolated spots on the highest peaks and ridges.
Welove2ski’s Alpine snow forecast for August 31
Of course, this is not the start of winter. It may not even be the end of summer. As regular weather-watchers in the Alps will know, the climate in this nearly-martime range of mountains is flukey, and can turn on a dime. There was no clearer indication of that than last winter, which started warm, and snowless, across almost all of the Alps – and then at the beginning of December suddenly turned into Snowmaggedon.
Still, snow in August is not a bad sign. We remember skiers coming back from Saas-Fee in August 2007, and telling me they’d been skiing fresh powder on the glacier. That cool summer and autumn turned into a memorably snowy start to the ski season. So fingers crossed this cooling trend continues. Welove2ski will of course be keeping a close eye on conditions in its Snow Reports!
Here are a few more webcam pictures across the Alps. Can’t wait to see them when the skies have cleared. What better motivation could any skier need for a spot of ski fitness training?
Ischgl, Austria, August 31. Photo: © ischgl.com
Engelberg, Switzerland, August 31. Photo: © titlis.ch
Chamonix, France, August 31. Photo: © Compagnie du Mont Blanc
10 Responses to “Fresh Snow in the Alps, August 31”
August 31, 2012
welove2skiHere it is, right on schedule – fresh snow in the Alps. It’s a bit heavier than we expected, too! https://t.co/8s9ICmZ7
August 31, 2012
ScottDunnTravelRT @welove2ski Here it is, right on schedule – fresh snow in the Alps. It’s a bit heavier than we expected, too! https://t.co/CjIMfvbk
August 31, 2012
PowderNShineFresh snow in the Alps, August 31 https://t.co/XBjpgoEc via @welove2ski
August 31, 2012
lwasellRT @welove2ski: Here it is, right on schedule – fresh snow in the Alps. It’s a bit heavier than we expected, too! https://t.co/8s9ICmZ7
August 31, 2012
sodoyouskiRT @welove2ski: Here it is, right on schedule – fresh snow in the Alps. It’s a bit heavier than we expected, too! https://t.co/uQLiJ4AH
August 31, 2012
JackWolfskin_frRT @welove2ski: Here it is, right on schedule – fresh snow in the Alps. It’s a bit heavier than we expected, too! https://t.co/8s9ICmZ7
August 31, 2012
PeterMohoRT @ScottDunnTravel: RT @welove2ski Here it is, right on schedule – fresh snow in the Alps. It’s a bit heavier than we expected, too! ht …
August 31, 2012
RobKeylockFresh snow in the Alps, August 31 | Welove2ski https://t.co/0sl5pG8a @anoukhandbags
September 1, 2012
skibum999Lots of white fluffy stuff is falling! A great winter in store maybe? Fresh snow in the Alps, August 31 | Welove2ski https://t.co/zIBYhtzg
September 1, 2012
wandrinshepherdRT @ScottDunnTravel: RT @welove2ski Here it is, right on schedule – fresh snow in the Alps. It’s a bit heavier than we expected, too! ht …