Summer snow has blanketed the Alps.
© Winterdienst-BilderSummer snow has blanketed the Alps.
A rare summer cold front swept across the Alps overnight, blanketing mountains in snow and sending temperatures tumbling well below seasonal norms. The weather event, which began late July 7 and continued into July 8, brought snow to elevations as low as 7,500 feet (2,300 meters).

Meteorological data confirmed that snow accumulations ranged from 1 to 2 inches (2 to 5 centimeters) around 8,900 feet (2,700 meters), 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters) near 10,500 feet (3,200 meters), and up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) at the highest points of the Mont-Blanc massif. The snowfall was accompanied by a sharp drop in temperatures, with maximum readings of 66°F to 72°F (19 °C to 22°C) in the plains and just 50°F to 55°F (10 °C to 13°C) at 5,000 feet (1,500 meters)—5 to 10 degrees below average for this time of year.




Webcams and social media channels quickly filled with images of freshly whitened peaks, particularly above Alpe d'Huez and across the Grand Est and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions. Rain and snow showers persisted through the morning, with the rain-snow limit expected to fall further to 7,500 feet (2,300 meters) on Tuesday before showers taper off by evening.

While the sight of summer snow may startle some, meteorologists and local tourism officials were quick to note its regularity at altitude. "This is, of course, not unusual... it can snow every month of the year above 1,800 to 2,000 meters," Meteo-Alpes stated in a recent post. Regional sources echoed this, recalling a July 14 slalom event held in fresh snow at La Clusaz last summer.

However, forecasters predict the chill will be short-lived. Temperatures are expected to rebound from July 9, setting the stage for a potential third heatwave of the summer.

Photos of Summer Snow in the Alps:

Summer snow has blanketed the Alps.
© Flüela Hospiz, PasshotelSummer snow has blanketed the Alps.
July snow has blanketed the Alps.
© Hintertux InstagramJuly snow has blanketed the Alps.
July snow has blanketed the Alps. |
© Dachsteingletscher SchladmingJuly snow has blanketed the Alps.