Up To a Metre (40 Inches) of Snowfall Reported in the Alps

The sunshine is back out in much of the Alps after heavy snowfall over the past three days – particularly Tuesday and Wednesday.

Resorts reported up to 107cm (just under four feet) of snow falling, the biggest accumulations reported in the Swiss Valais region.

Bonneval Sur arc, over the back of Val d’Isere in the French Alps posted the biggest accumulation there – 90cm (three feet) with Cervinia topping the Italian snowfall table with 80cm (2.7 feet). Les Menuires in pictured top and La Rosiere (which has had 80cm/32″) below.

But there was snowfall right across the region with many resorts posting 30-60cm (1-2 feet) accumulations,. Transforming conditions after the mostly dry and sunny five weeks since Christmas.

In Austria the Silvretta and Arlberg regions posted around 70cm (2.3 feet) accumulations and there was a similar fall on Germany’s highest slopes on the Zugspitze.

The snowfall was accompanied by strong winds, particularly at altitude, which led to many areas limiting what terrain they could open, with some closing completely.

The avalanche danger levels have also risen from 1 or 2 on the scale to 5 for much of January to now level 3 “Considerable” in most area to level 4 “high” in some that saw the biggest snowfalls.

The next few days look to be more changeable with some areas continuing to see light snowfalls then heavier falls likely over a wider area on Sunday and then next Tuesday/Wednesday if forecasts play out as they currently look like they will – so a snowier start of February than January.