10983 Any Snow Yet?

[quote=jepsonclough;103369]As it is now only four weeks until we set off for Christmas I'm starting to think about what we'll do when we get there. Kids are hoping that we can do some skiing again this year so I was wondering if there's any snow up at Sasso Tetto yet.

Also when does the skating rink in Servigliano open (I assume it's an annual thing)?

Chris[/quote]

Try this link for the Italian websites.. at least this way you can keep an eye on the weather..

[URL="http://www.skiinfo.com/Webcams/Italy-EIT-91-en.jhtml][B]>Italy - webcams - latest<[/B][/URL]
[url=http://www.skiinfo.com/Webcams/Italy-EIT-91-en.jhtml]Skiinfo - Italy - Cams - Webcam - ski resorts webcams[/url]
Scroll down and find the webcams you want...

I'm supposed to be coming out beginning December, but now I'm being told that the weather is going to be atrocious. Anyone else heard a long-range forecast? Don't mind getting stuck in my house but would hate to arrive and not be able to get to it!

[quote=annec;103378]I'm supposed to be coming out beginning December, but now I'm being told that the weather is going to be atrocious. Anyone else heard a long-range forecast? Don't mind getting stuck in my house but would hate to arrive and not be able to get to it![/quote]
Curious who's telling you that the weather is definitely going to be atrocious and why you're convinced they're right.

My conclusion after living here for two years now is that Italian weather forecasts are fairly accurate a couple days ahead, but for anything more than that I get better results by looking for shapes resembling the sun, a raindrop or snowflake in the bottom of my morning cup of tea.

For example, [URL="http://www.ilmeteo.it/"]Il Meteo[/URL] was predicting last weekend that we'd have snow in Abruzzo on Thursday. Well, here we are and the sun is shining, the sky is blue and the low overnight was 5°. Strangely, their website now shows the predicted weather today to be sunny. :rollingeyes:

Al

I tend to agree with Al. Long term weather prediction is a bit of crystal ball gazing and tarot reading.... There are so many factors that can intervene on weather patterns that I feel that you cannot accuratelly anticipate predictions by more than 2-3 days.

It was forecast to snow all day here on Saturday, but now it seems not, will look out for posters in Sevigliano for the skating, and let you know.
A

I agree that weather forecasts here are dismal. That said the tops of Mt Vettore and the Gran Sasso are covered with a good layer of snow after several days of foul weather. It is now clear but the nights are cold and the locals say it will be wet and colder again sometime this weekend.
The weather patterns these past few months have been odd...hot then cold and wet, then warm and dry, then cool and wet, then warm and dry, then...who knows?

[quote=AllanMason;103380]Curious who's telling you that the weather is definitely going to be atrocious and why you're convinced they're right.

My conclusion after living here for two years now is that Italian weather forecasts are fairly accurate a couple days ahead, but for anything more than that I get better results by looking for shapes resembling the sun, a raindrop or snowflake in the bottom of my morning cup of tea.

For example, [URL="http://www.ilmeteo.it/"]Il Meteo[/URL] was predicting last weekend that we'd have snow in Abruzzo on Thursday. Well, here we are and the sun is shining, the sky is blue and the low overnight was 5°. Strangely, their website now shows the predicted weather today to be sunny. :rollingeyes:

Al[/quote]

You're right Allan about the unpredictability of forecasts here, but [I]'on the whole'[/I] they aren't too bad. I have used 'Il Meteo' for sometime now too, and it [I]does[/I] change it's 7 and 15 day predictions as the situation changes. For that reason I always check (on a daily basis) their predictions for 2/3 days ahead, simply because I know that being so near to the Alps can influence predicted weather patterns quite a lot.

Forecast for snow and very cold weather this weekend in Amandola but in Bolognola/Sassotetto there is plenty of snow forecast for the next week. I was there yesterday and there was none, although as Bruno said there is plenty on the top of Vettore.

It is bitterly cold at night here at the moment but then we are nearer to the mountains.

I use [url=http://www.tempoitalia.it]METEO | Previsioni Tempo Italia e Mondo | VIDEO METEO[/url] and find them pretty accurate for 7 days. The following 7 days seems to be a hint rather than an accurate forecast, although to be fair, they do update the forecast continually.

[quote=AllanMason;103380]Curious who's telling you that the weather is definitely going to be atrocious and why you're convinced they're right.

Al[/quote]
I ain't convinced, that's why I'm asking. But my tenant is convinced, he's postponed the art exhibition he is planning to 13th Dec on the strength of the info he's received

[quote=annec;103450]I ain't convinced, that's why I'm asking. But my tenant is convinced, he's postponed the art exhibition he is planning to 13th Dec on the strength of the info he's received[/quote]
the whole of italy from tomorrow will be hit by the same front going thru the uk direct from the artctic temeratures of as low as -4°c are foreseen in this area with snow at low quotas and high winds everywhere...actually the forescasting is usually pretty accurate these days.

I've been told that we should expect snow this weekend, then more snow mid week. It's been blowing a gale today, and whenever this happens, it generally signals a change in the weather. My msn weather forecast still shows mild weather / rain for all of next week. Shall now leave before I get laughed off the forum for using crappy forecast services..

Well I will join you English teacher, have just checked again and the weather looks OK, no snow for us? at 420mtrs, but just to be prudent did extra shopping today, how everyone will laugh when we wake up to it, or not they are much too kind!, plus we are on second harvest of olives, snow shoes then?
A

Hi Angie,

How are winters in your area in general? How much snow would you estimate you get each winter and how long does it usually last? The reason I ask is that so far of the areas of Italy we have seen and lived in, the area where you are (including around Monte Rinaldo) is our preferred area to retire to. As we live in snowy Vermont, my husband does not want to endure months of snow and brutal cold like we have here. Our friends in Monte Rinaldo say it isn't too bad but we'd love to hear from another person as well. It has been in the low 20's to mid 30's F all week during the daytime and it's getting old! Our winters start about November and go through until around the end of April. In the dead of winter we can have temperatures of 10 degrees F below zero at times. We have even gotten snow in May on rare occasions.

Lisa

Last December/January there were quite a few feet of snow in and around the hilltop villages of Santa Vittoria, Montelparo, Monteleone, Penna San Giovanni etc, temperature as I recall got down to -6 or so at night every now and then, In March onwards weather (temperature wise) has been quite good/very good I would say.................

Obviously the higher villages such as Smerillo get a little cut off at times.......but they look good !

So far, there have been SIGNS of snow, the Sibillinis have a covering as I write, but only down to about 1200mtrs.

Snow is suggested for early December

Hi Lisa
At 420 mtrs and between the mountains and the coast, the snow which seems to last a few days for us is not a problem, but prior to us moving out here there were severe snow coverings , it is so difficult to give you an estimate. This year it has remained sunny and warmish into late November, it is sunny as I write.
There have been previous threads on this subject, and it seems that the distance from the mountains and the height of your property is of significance with regard to the weather you can expect, also, where the house is positioned with regard to the prevailing winds, an open exposed position or one that is sheltered, as ours is, but still attracts loads of sunshine.
I know that you have been out here , and to look around with these points in mind may help you in your search, certainly not as cold as Vermont, where I have been but in the fall, not in the depths of winter.!
Good luck with your continuing search
Angie

I'm sitting at my computer looking at Monterinaldo with lovely sunshine at the moment, bu unfortunately I feel the answer to how much snow & for how long is "how long is a piece of string".
Last year we had snow on 17th December & got about a foot (I remember cos I had to drive to Rome to fly home the next day so left my car at a neighbours & walked the 500m to his hpuse to be on the safe side!). Not sure how long it lasted but it wasn't there when we arrived back on 5th Jan. I don't remember any more than that.
The year before there was none
The year before that it snowed for Nov 29th to end of January off & on, but I don't remember a great amount
The year before that it snowed for a week solid in jan (just before we cam out for a site visit) so there was a couple of feet & there were still little pockets of it left in March

Did anyone else get woken up at 2am this morning by the wind storm- I though I was in the Wizard of Oz!!!

Dont forget the thunder too!, but all is calm and sunny today, off out to plant more violas.
A

[quote=Angie and Robert;103592]Dont forget the thunder too!, but all is calm and sunny today, off out to plant more violas.
A[/quote]

Don't forget the cellos too. The mind boggles!!! lol

[quote=Angie and Robert;103582]...it seems that the distance from the mountains and the height of your property is of significance with regard to the weather you can expect, also, where the house is positioned with regard to the prevailing winds, an open exposed position or one that is sheltered...[/quote]
All true. Micro-climates are very real, but often the causes are not immediately obvious, particularly in a climate and topography very different to "Home".

One thing you can easily check is which direction a house faces. Unless you like being cold in the winter (or you're sure you'll never be in Italy at that time of year) and you much prefer shade to sun in the summer, you do not want a house on a north-facing slope. My advice when house-hunting is to take a little compass with you.

Al

Excellent advice Al. A little compass can help a lot. And the right position can make you save heaps in heating charges.

We were up in the mountains again today with the dog (Sassotetto, Bolognola, Fiastra) and there was about 5-10cm snow but the roads were clear with a little black ice on the shady bits. Just as we were leaving (about 3pm) the weather really closed in with dark ominous looking clouds so I imagine there'll be plenty more snow by tomorrow.

Here in Amandola, it is cold but no snow. Don't think we're going to get any either this weekend to be honest.

So from the sound of it the snow is hopefully coming - so my next question is will we get some skiing up at Sasso Tetto over Christmas/New Year? Didn't manage any last year due to sickness (but children managed a day) so I'm hoping to get a few days in this year.

Chris

Thanks very much to all who have responded to my questions about the winter weather conditions. It is really helpful in planning on where we want to be situated.

Lisa

We had snow only 8km from the coast on Saturday, most had melted by Sunday evening.
The view is absolutely glorious, especially dawn when the sun lights up the snow on the mountains, late morning we can see Croatia and the red skies at night are like a light show.
We've only been here 5 years but there are normally a couple of really cold weeks in November and a couple of weeks in December when the sun comes out and it is lunch in the sunshine time.

hi we have snow on the maielleta and passolanciano not a lot but enough to snow board

Heavy(ish) snow was forecast here in the Valtellina last night (15-25cm) as low as 350m and that would have included my place. But even though there was a 'smattering' it was not as much as expected.

Above the 800/1000m mark though it is now really setting in. These were the views from my terrace on Sunday morning... We might have a 'white Christmas' yet!

[B]OMG[/B][I] - I've just realsied that this isn't just a "snow" thread - but it's a "Le Marche Snow thread".... Can some kind Moderator move it to the Lombardy Forum, or maybe start a new General Thread for 'snow'? Sorry folks![/I] :reallyembarrassed:

I have followed the le Marche "snow sightings" with interest, especially noted the comment from Fermo so near to the coast. I HATE SNOW and did not believe those roadside snowflakes here in Umbria in 1998. We do change to snow tyres every winter here. I have marked the calender since '98. At 627 metres above Lago Trasimeno it has snowed between the 21 and 26 November for the past 10 years, (only sleet has fallen so far), then disappeared to return most years in February, with a few exceptions, ie. snow for 3 whole months and I put on nearly a stone!!!!

Pouring with rain here, and chilly , and seems we will have rain for most of the week, friends near to Amandola...and the mountains have had some snow and frost, and the Sibillini had snow on the upper slopes, I think we get the rain and they get the snow, but looks like a wet week until the sun comes out again towards the weekend.
Thought your photos were lovely Carol, what a view!.
A

Well here is how it looked in 'sunny' Barga this morning.
Some lovely pictures but I have wonder if my recently sown lawn which is only 5 weeks old will have frozen to death before it even had the chance to be scorched by the sun next summer! :eeeek::bigergrin:

[url=http://www.barganews.com/2008/11/24/first-winter-snow-falls-on-barga/#more-6669]First winter snow falls on Barga at barganews[/url]

.... hoping for no snow to be actually falling on 17th Dec so we can get to our house from Ancona airport. Last year arrived on 18th Dec, having been warned about snow. There was nothing at the coast but it got steadily worse as we headed inland. 6 miles from the house, we were the only car sliding on the dark roads and thought we were going to have to abandon car....... somehow we slithered up the hills and round the bends and got to our house. Woke up the next morning to 1 - 1.5 ft of snow outside, very beautiful! All the better when viewing it from indoors!

... but it's in Cheshire on the edge of the Peak District. Minus seven this morning when I went to work - minus one when I arrived in Liverpool which felt positively balmy!

Chris

Looks like we will be out there are the same time Chris, our house is near Amandola not so far from Monte San Martino, if you fancy meeting for a Christmas period glass of something, or cafe let PM us ......

Just give us a call if you get stuck on the way Arty!!!

Thanks Geo!!! Hopefully we won;t get stuck, but if we do your 4x4 will be just the ticket!

Hi Arty,
Just taken a picture of the mountains so that you can see how the snow is coming along - it's looking good!
See you soon
S & M
x

PS Don't worry - the 3rd picture was taken at the Sibillini refuge !!!

I was up there today...............snow high up, looking 'fab' ( as they used to say in my day !)...........great photos from Sarahand Mark

Thank you Sarah and Mark for the photos, it looks bellisima. The snow can descend to 500m after the 17th!

It has been fabulous here in Brighton, clear skies, warm sunshine and have been sitting outside drinking vino today .... sunset was fabulous - excuse the camera phone but two pics attached .... [taken about 2 hours ago]

youll be sorreeee when you are snowed in and miss out on all the fun!
Ax

ooooohhhhh snowed in... that'll be fun.... so long as food and wine in and the fire stoked .....R xx

Hello Arty,
I've been up a mountain today and played in some cold white stuff - it was great fun running around in it - not sure what it was as I have never seen it like this before. There is none near where I live though. It is cold tonight and I am now going to curl up in front of the fire.
Love
Jess

Cool photie Jess. Whatcha want for ya Christmas eh???

We noticed it snowing as we put away the final round of glasses last thing on Christmas Day.

This morning we have a good 6 inches on the posts outside the house (we're at c.600m outside Force).

5 kids now designing sledges out of prezzie cardboard.

A light snowfall this morning in Montalto, but I can see the hills lower down are clear.

At 627 mts in Umbria there is a dusting of "icing sugar" on our Barn roof but will soon disappear.

We've got about 6 inches in Amandola and it's still snowing althought it is quite wet slushy stuff.

The ploughs have been out.

Just tried to upload a photo of Jess playing in our 1/2 a foot of snow but it keeps saying upload failed - is anyone else having this problem? the photo has been resized so it's not too large.

Getting rather slushy here but we still have lots of snow on the ground and snow forecast till 1am.

Precipio in Comunanza has been posponed until 4th Jan if anyone was going!

Try instead Sarah using [url=http://www.photobucket.com]Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket[/url] as an intermediary image hosting website.

The Marchegiane have sent the snow to us this morning. At 627 mts. above Lago Trasimeno we have snow but only the dog loves having a walk in it, until the sun comes out. Which we doubt it will today!!

had about an inch here, at @ 400m............

3-4 inches here (Macerata province) on Boxing Day, and more last night. It's still falling now, though the clouds have lifted a bit.