Snow Forecast Summary - 23rd February 2012

The last week has seen additional fresh snow for much of Austria, Switzerland and the Pyrenees, including some substantial falls in the Tyrol. Sunny conditions have followed lighter snow elsewhere in Europe.

In North America, British Columbia (Canada) and Colorado (USA) have had some major snowfalls and Mount Washington has announced that it will be extending the season by a week (to April 22nd)!

European Weather and Snow This Coming Week

Cold weather has now given way to milder conditions in Europe, and these look set to continue for the next few days at least. Currently running around 5C above the seasonal averages, and higher in the South, temperatures should drop through the weekend before climbing again as we head into March. Spring skiing conditions will be common, so take sun-cream and light layers! The impressive snow depths in Europe (with many resorts reporting well over 2 metres of snow at altitude) will mean some great skiing as we move into the second half of the season.

There is a good possibility of some further snow in the Eastern Alps in the next week or so, although this may fall as rain at lower altitudes.

Longer term, conditions should return to mid-season averages in the first week of March.

Avalanche Safety

A word of warning... avalanches have claimed a number of lives in the past few days and anyone considering skiing out-of-bounds or off-piste should continue to exercise caution. Always take local advice before leaving marked runs, never ski alone, and always carry a transceiver, shovel and probe when off-piste.