Latest posts for the topic "Colour of snow in Alps"

Colour of snow in Alps

Sat, 22 Feb 2014 20:19:29 GMT

Could I get an explanation of why the snow in Montgenevre, Bardonecchia & Gressoney has a very dirty colour to it. I was given an explanation would I'm not sure if this is correct. this is a recent development.

Thanks

Re:Colour of snow in Alps

Sat, 22 Feb 2014 21:15:09 GMT

I've seen orange/yellow/beige streaked snow over quite a large area at Tignes many years ago, reputedly as the result of southerly winds bringing Saharan dust across and believe it happens fairly regularly. There were also quite a few reports of ski resorts having thin layers of black and grey snow when the unpronounceable Icelandic volcano blew its top a few years ago.

I've not heard of any volcanoes in the area so I'd guess it could be the first explanation?

Re:Colour of snow in Alps

Sun, 23 Feb 2014 07:34:39 GMT

The snow in Val Thorens had a orange hue to it once while we were there several years ago, guess that was the same time Admin mentions. Looked very odd.

Re:Colour of snow in Alps

Sun, 23 Feb 2014 09:18:13 GMT

In Morzine last week exactly that happened, a colleague of mine at the same time said her car was covered in orange dust too. We were told exactly what admin says above.

Re:Colour of snow in Alps

Sun, 23 Feb 2014 13:25:55 GMT

Change your goggle lenses

Re:Colour of snow in Alps

Sun, 23 Feb 2014 17:50:23 GMT

Same reason your car often looks dusty after it rains.

Re:Colour of snow in Alps

Sun, 23 Feb 2014 17:54:38 GMT

Just remember never to eat or play in yellow snow! :shock:

Re:Colour of snow in Alps

Sun, 23 Feb 2014 17:58:12 GMT

Saw this strange sight in Cervinia for the first time in 1979; precipitation laden with Saharan dust, apparently!

Re:Colour of snow in Alps

Sun, 23 Feb 2014 20:10:30 GMT

We found sand on the slopes of Serre Chevalier a few years ago - again from the Sahara.

Re:Colour of snow in Alps

Sun, 23 Feb 2014 20:43:02 GMT

jastem wrote:
We found sand on the slopes of Serre Chevalier a few years ago - again from the Sahara.

Tony can beat that! He found mud and grass on the slopes in austria this year

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Re:Colour of snow in Alps

Sun, 23 Feb 2014 21:52:42 GMT

That's not actually correct.

Re:Colour of snow in Alps

Mon, 24 Feb 2014 08:51:23 GMT

It's from foehn wind that blows from Sahara and brings particles of sand with it.

Re:Colour of snow in Alps

Mon, 24 Feb 2014 10:36:33 GMT

Note of caution, this red layer is making conditions a bit scary at moment. Was pretty wet compact snow and acting as a nice slide plane on all aspects up to about 2500m. If your heading offpiste I would suggest you plan on being finished before lunch.

Re:Colour of snow in Alps

Mon, 24 Feb 2014 10:50:41 GMT

Tony_H wrote:That's not actually correct.

Yeah I know, I was joking.

But I did read once in a science magazine, i think it was bbc focus under every bed in the world you will find dust from the Sahara. Amazing.

Re:Colour of snow in Alps

Thu, 27 Feb 2014 09:32:19 GMT

Yes and in Livigno last week.

Re:Colour of snow in Alps

Sat, 1 Mar 2014 08:00:33 GMT

Saharan sand indeed, picked up by the winds and then deposited again, this time in the Alps, sometimes in London. Be careful of bemused and rather angry snakes. :)

Re:Colour of snow in Alps

Sat, 1 Mar 2014 08:58:45 GMT

Somewhat predictably at least 2 deaths in the French Alps last week.

Re:Colour of snow in Alps

Sat, 1 Mar 2014 09:40:05 GMT

What? from snake bites?

Re:Colour of snow in Alps

Sat, 1 Mar 2014 11:30:07 GMT

Avalanches! Everything from south came with a high freezing level and basically all aspects at certain altitudes had rain (made a weird layer) and then snow on top.

I will try and upload some pictures.

Re:Colour of snow in Alps

Sat, 1 Mar 2014 15:44:28 GMT

Ranchero_1979 wrote:Somewhat predictably at least 2 deaths in the French Alps last week.

What's this got to do with sand?

Re:Colour of snow in Alps

Sat, 1 Mar 2014 17:21:25 GMT

Looking at a map, you will see sand came from the South. Warm weather also comes from South. Sand layer now acting as a slide plane as it came with rain in lot of resorts at certain altitudes. Avalanche itself is not because of sand but is pretty indicative.

Red sky at night, thick skins on onions etc

Re:Colour of snow in Alps

Mon, 3 Mar 2014 06:28:00 GMT

Mmmm.. This answers all the questions..

http://weather.about.com/od/y/g/yellow_snow.htm