The Alps have seen an unusual amount of snowfall this September 2024, surprising many with conditions more akin to the deep winter months. If you’ve been paying attention to social media, particularly Instagram and TikTok over the past week, you’ll have noticed an excited tone across the main snowsports accounts (with that meme from The Office in heavy rotation).
Areas in Switzerland, Austria, and France, typically still enjoying autumnal weather, are now covered in snow, with some places like Zermatt and Verbier in Switzerland reporting up to 70cm. Some resorts in Austria have reported around a meter of fresh snow in just a few days.
This early dose of winter has skiers and snowboarders buzzing with anticipation, but it also begs the question: why has this happened, and what could it mean for the upcoming 2024/25 winter season?
Read our guide: Winter Season 2024/25 Predictions
The September Snow Phenomenon Explained
First off, the unexpected snowfall in September 2024 can be largely attributed to a meteorological pattern known as the Genoa Low. This pattern occurs when a low-pressure system forms over the Gulf of Genoa, pulling cold air from the north that meets the warmer, moist air from the Mediterranean. The result, especially during the colder months, is significant precipitation, which falls as snow over the Alps due to their elevation and geographical positioning.
During September 2024, we have seen colder air coming in from the north meeting the warmer Mediterranean air which has formed this cyclone across the Gulf of Genoa. This in turn has shocked snow out across the Alpine region, with some spectacular snow depths being seen from Austrian resorts such as Kaprun down to French resorts including Chamonix and Alpes d’Huez.
Why This Matters
The Alps act as a natural barrier, catching this moist air, which then cools and falls as snow. This early season snow is not just a bonus for postcard pictures; it lays down a crucial base layer that helps insulate the ground and ensures that later snowfalls stick rather than melt away. This can lead to a more stable and long-lasting snowpack throughout the winter season.
It is worth noting of course that most major ski resorts are still closed across the Alps, with the usual exception of the early openers such as Saas Fee, Zermatt and Hintertux.
If you’re looking for an early session on powder, head to Hintertux who are opening from the 18th September in light of the 95 cms of snow which has fallen in the past few days.
What This Could Mean for the Winter Season
A Strong Start
An early start to the snow season suggests we could be looking at a bumper winter. A substantial base layer of snow in September sets the stage for good conditions that can last well into spring, extending the ski and snowboard season much longer than usual. This is great news for enthusiasts and the industry alike, promising more time on the slopes and potentially less concern about patchy snow coverage that can hamper early and late season skiing.
With that being said, the last Genoa Low in 2019 did result in good conditions across higher resorts in the Northern Alps. However, the lower altitude ski resorts had below average snowfall that year – so this does indicate a mixed bag, especially lower resorts.
Predictions for 2024/25
While it’s still early days, the signs are positive that 2024/25 could be an exceptional year for snow in the Alps. The Genoa Low phenomenon suggests more than just a freak early snowfall; it indicates a pattern that could bring consistent snow throughout the winter months. Skiers and snowboarders could prepare for an extended season with abundant powder days. Especially in those higher resorts such as Verbier, Zermatt and the Three Valleys.
Additionally, the ample early snow could reduce the risk of avalanches, a serious concern in the Alps, making for safer conditions on and off-piste.
The Bottom Line
While this early season snow fall doesn’t signal the start of the best season ever, it is an encouraging start, and could be a good base for many resorts.
As exciting as this is, it also serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of our climate and the importance of protecting these incredible winter landscapes for future generations.As we’ve seen in recent years, the changing climate does mean that everything can change and we could end up with a warm spell wiping out much of the gains in just a few weeks.
Whether you’re hitting the slopes yourself or just enjoying the scenery, it’s looking like this season is shaping up to be one for the books.
Header image credit: https://x.com/unwetterfreaks
