After an unusually dry start to the season, a cold wave sweeping across Europe has delivered substantial snowfall to the Alps, creating an idyllic setting for winter sports enthusiasts.
The recent chill has fostered significant snow accumulations, aligning with historical averages for this period.
In some locations, the snowfall has been particularly abundant. Switzerland recorded snowpack depths of up to 140 centimeters, while Italy saw peaks reach an impressive 240 centimeters. France measured up to 175 centimeters of snow in certain areas, and in Austria, accumulations reached up to 120 centimeters.
The Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellite captured this striking image of the snow-covered Alps on January 14, 2025. This visual highlights the pristine winter landscape blanketing the region.
For further information, the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service introduced a suite of High-Resolution Snow and Ice Monitoring Products in July 2020, designed to provide valuable insights into snow and ice coverage trends.
Featured image credit: European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-3 imagery
