Snow is falling in many ski regions of the world at present but forecasting models are suggesting there will be some really huge snowfalls at some areas and some altitudes this coming Monday, 29th October.
Some high ski areas including the slopes above Cortina, Livigno, Madesimo, Solden, St Moritz and others may receive over a metre of snow in 24 hours if forecasting models prove correct.
What's unusual is that this kind of big snowfall announcement is just a few days away. Longer term forecasts quite often show possible 1 or even 2 metre snowfalls 7-10 days away when forecasting is very fluid, but it is rare that less than 60 hours away such big snowfalls are still being forecast.
The reason is predicted extreme weather as cold and warm fronts meet. This looks like it will make being outdoors and travelling unpleasant and potentially dangerous at the start of the week in some parts of the Alps.
It also means forecasting is problematic and that where the snow does actually land and how much does so remains subject to short term change.
In the meantime ski areas in the Alps, Dolomities, Pyrenees, Scotland, Scandinavia as well as in several areas of North America are all receiving significant snowfall at present with snow expecting to continue falling at many right through the coming week.
The opening World Cup races of the 18-19 season took place at Solden today with the women's GS, won by Tessa Worley of France. Unfortunately Britain's Alex Tilley did not qualify for the second run