Heavy snowfall has been reported across the French Alps and Jura Mountains, prompting significant warnings from Météo-France as the ski season gains momentum. The orange alert for snow and ice, covering Savoie, Haute-Savoie, Isère, and Ain, has been extended through Tuesday morning due to remarkable snowfall and strong winds impacting the Northern Alps.
According to Météo-France, the snowfall has been plentiful since Sunday morning, with accumulations exceeding 10 centimeters at elevations as low as 600 to 700 meters. The ski resorts have welcomed this white gift as it has invigorated conditions just before the holiday season. For example, Bourg-Saint-Maurice has recorded 31 centimeters, Chamonix has seen 37 centimeters, and Villard-de-Lans has topped the charts with 44 centimeters of new snow. Travelers are being urged to exercise extreme caution on the roads, equipped with winter tires or chains, as the conditions have led to accidents and power outages.
The avalanche warning is currently phase two for Savoie and Isère, indicating the potential for large avalanches reaching mountain roads and human infrastructure. Météo-France has emphasized the danger, noting, "They can reach exposed mountain roads and high-altitude infrastructures." Amid these warnings, skiers are advised to refrain from off-piste skiing where the snowpack is unstable. This level of vigilance underlines the significant increase of snowfall, with higher elevations receiving much more.
This weekend's weather systems, characterized by cold polar air sweeping over much of France, have generated widespread snow, particularly across mountain ranges. While the pyrénées also report considerable snow—up to 70 centimeters at higher elevations—the northern Alps and Jura Mountains have been most affected. The snowfall persisted through Monday, with predictions indicating continued flurries at elevations above 700 meters. The Jura region has also benefited, seeing snow builds of around 40 centimeters at about 1,200 meters. Nevertheless, these regions remain on alert for rising temperatures expected by Christmas Day, which could pose risks to the fresh snow.
With ski areas gearing up for winter holiday visitors, the conditions have provided much-needed relief after previous seasons' challenges due to inconsistent snowfall. Baptiste Rabasse, deputy director of the Superbagnères Stations, noted, "It has been snowing regularly since the beginning of December, allowing us to prepare the snowpack well, and now the snowfall keeps coming." Ski stations, especially those reliant on snow for economic stability, are eager for optimistic forecasts. Skiers are experiencing excitement for full slopes again, reminiscent of favorable conditions of yore.
At the Jura ski station, the snowfall has opened up opportunities, albeit slowly. Currently, only 11 of the 39 available slopes were operational on December 23, but the number is expected to rise as forecasts predict clearer conditions and additional snowfall. Officials are optimistic, indicating more slopes will be available for Christmas, which is excellent news for holiday plans. "The conditions are improving quickly, and we expect to open six more slopes by December 24 and seven more by Christmas Day," the communications department stated.
Yet, concerns over temperature hikes could undermine winter sports earlier than anticipated. Stéphane Nedeljkovic, MétéoNews forecaster, cautioned, "This type of phenomenon where heavy snowfall is followed by sudden warming is expected to become increasingly frequent." Such fluctuations challenge the stability of snowpack. The east of France, where slopes lay, is experiencing tensions as weather patterns shift.
With temperature predictions hinting at sunny skies but marked increases above normal for the mountain areas, the outlook becomes precarious. Local authorities have responded by maintaining hazards related to slopes, advising caution among skiers and winter enthusiasts. The Jura prefecture reiterated the need for vigilance against "snow flows" at elevations above 1,000 meters, underscoring the risks posed by heavy snow combined with warmer conditions.
The situation is dynamic; meteorologists anticipate the return of cold air from Northern Europe around New Year's, which could bring fresh snowfall and invigorate skiing conditions again. For now, both enthusiasts and care-takers remain hopeful as the holiday season approaches, watching the skies and bracing for what could be another memorable winter. The continuing snowfalls promise to keep resorts buzzing and winter sports alive.
