Winter is once again making its presence felt in Italy, especially in the North, where the entry of arctic currents is causing a significant drop in temperatures. The minimum temperatures recorded at dawn on the Po Valley, which dropped to -4 degrees, confirm the solidity of the so-called cold cushion, a phenomenon typical of the Po Valley areas which favors the stagnation of freezing air in the lower layers. It is precisely this configuration that makes the return of snow possible at very low altitudes, locally even on the plains, an increasingly rare event in recent years.
Between Atlantic disturbances and snow on the plains
The key passage is expected between Friday 23 and Saturday 24 January, when a wetter Atlantic disturbance will slide over the pre-existing cold layer. The interaction between different air masses could transform rain into snowfall up to the floor in several areas of the Northwest. The most exposed regions remain Piedmont, western Lombardy and Emilia, with flakes also possible in cities such as Turin, Milan and Pavia, albeit alternating with rain or mixed snow in milder urban centres.
The areas most involved and the possible weekend scenario
According to the latest updates, the snow could affect the inland and foothill provinces more decisively, with more significant accumulations in the Alps and Pre-Alps. Between Saturday and Sunday a new cold impulse could bring snowfall at low altitudes also in Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, while along the central and southern Apennines the snow will remain confined above 1000-1200 metres. In the Centre-South, however, rain and a milder climate will prevail, with an increase in temperatures especially in the Tyrrhenian regions.
Snow on the Olympic mountains: good news
The disturbed phase will also bring benefits to the Olympic mountains of Cortina, where the lack of snow had become critical. After a winter with little snowfall so far, the latest weather forecasts indicate that up to 50 centimeters of new snow could accumulate between Friday 23 and Saturday 24 January. An event that arrives at the right time, guaranteeing more natural and safe conditions in the Alps and Pre-Alps for the start of the races scheduled for February 6th.
According to meteorologists, the phenomenon will be possible thanks to two main factors: the arrival of Arctic currents which will significantly lower temperatures and the interaction with humid Atlantic disturbances. Cold air in the lower layers, combined with fresh snow, should create a stable snowpack, limiting the need for artificial snow. This scenario also reduces the risk of the so-called “Beijing Effect”, or the excessive reliance on artificial snow seen at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Snow that falls over the next few days is expected to permeate into the middle of next week, thanks to persistent subzero temperatures and further cold pulses expected. This means that the snow cover will be stable and resistant, offering athletes optimal conditions for alpine skiing, snowboarding, biathlon and other scheduled disciplines. Furthermore, this snowy period will also contribute to the water reserve, which is essential to compensate for the deficiencies accumulated in a winter that has so far been too mild.
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