{"id":16710,"date":"2026-02-19T11:10:58","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T10:10:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/news\/a-winter-downhill-january-puts-italys-snow-season-back-on-track\/"},"modified":"2026-02-19T12:42:57","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T11:42:57","slug":"a-winter-downhill-january-puts-italys-snow-season-back-on-track","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/en\/news\/a-winter-downhill-january-puts-italys-snow-season-back-on-track\/","title":{"rendered":"A winter downhill: January puts Italy\u2019s Snow Season back on track"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The snow season has entered its central phase and, as often happens, snow accumulation does not evolve along a linear path. After an early season marked by widespread delays, January brought a significant acceleration, with widespread snowfall across large portions of Italy\u2019s mountain regions. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/en\/italy-snow-updates\/\">third update from CIMA Research Foundation<\/a> shows a national picture that is still slightly below average (\u201322%), but with a clear improvement compared to previous weeks.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The marathon has changed pace, but the race is not evenly balanced.<\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-flourish wp-block-embed-flourish\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" title=\"Interactive or visual content\" src=\"https:\/\/flo.uri.sh\/visualisation\/27664404\/embed#?secret=4lFby1GXIX\" data-secret=\"4lFby1GXIX\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" height=\"575\" width=\"700\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fig. 1. Evolution of snow water equivalent in Italy. The orange line represents the snow water equivalent for the current season, aggregated over the entire national territory. The light blue line represents the total snow water equivalent for the previous season, while the grey line and shaded area indicate, respectively, the long-term average and interannual variability.   <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Italian Alps as a whole: a new dataset, finally back to average<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the first time, CIMA Research Foundation presents an aggregated analysis of Snow Water Equivalent across the entire Italian Alpine arc. The impact of January\u2019s conditions is evident: accumulation has returned in line with the seasonal average, thanks to a steady and continuous increase throughout the month. <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-flourish wp-block-embed-flourish\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" title=\"Interactive or visual content\" src=\"https:\/\/flo.uri.sh\/visualisation\/27664254\/embed#?secret=jsVqraPLG7\" data-secret=\"jsVqraPLG7\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" height=\"575\" width=\"700\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fig. 2. Integrated Snow Water Equivalent evolution across the Italian Alps. The orange line represents the snow water equivalent for the current season, aggregated over the entire national territory. The light blue line represents the total snow water equivalent for the previous season, while the grey line and shaded area indicate, respectively, the long-term average and interannual variability.   <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When observing Alpine SWE throughout the winter, its trajectory almost resembles an Olympic downhill race: a slow start in September, a technically challenging section in November, a difficult intermediate split in December, and then acceleration in January. A truly winter-like phase, with below-average temperatures across the Alpine arc and above-average precipitation over much of Northern Italy, brought the curve back on track.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At a time when attention has been focused on ski slopes and the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, with athletes such as Federica Brignone competing on Alpine snow, Italy\u2019s snow season also appears to have found a change of pace. Yet, as in competition, performance in a single sector is not enough, continuity along the entire course is what ultimately matters. <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6aed5cb979598&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6aed5cb979598\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img data-dominant-color=\"dee5df\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/pista-da-sci-SWE-ALPI_itaLOGO-1024x640.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16729 not-transparent\" style=\"--dominant-color: #dee5df; object-fit:cover\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/pista-da-sci-SWE-ALPI_itaLOGO-1024x640.avif 1024w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/pista-da-sci-SWE-ALPI_itaLOGO-300x188.avif 300w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/pista-da-sci-SWE-ALPI_itaLOGO-768x480.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/pista-da-sci-SWE-ALPI_itaLOGO-1536x960.avif 1536w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/pista-da-sci-SWE-ALPI_itaLOGO.avif 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fig. 3. Evolution of Snow Water Equivalent across the Italian Alpine arc (orange line), reinterpreted as an Olympic downhill course. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The meteorological context clearly explains this dynamic. During January, temperatures were below average across the Alpine arc, while precipitation was above normal over much of Northern Italy, with some exceptions along border mountain ranges. This combination of cold temperatures and fresh snowfall is the most favorable condition for snowpack growth.  <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-dominant-color=\"cfe0de\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #cfe0de;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"995\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/T_febbraio-1024x995.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16684 not-transparent\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/T_febbraio-1024x995.avif 1024w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/T_febbraio-300x292.avif 300w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/T_febbraio-768x746.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/T_febbraio-1536x1493.avif 1536w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/T_febbraio-2048x1990.avif 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fig. 4. Temperature anomaly in Italy during December. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-dominant-color=\"c4dee0\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #c4dee0;\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1001\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SPI_febbraio-1024x1001.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16685 not-transparent\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SPI_febbraio-1024x1001.avif 1024w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SPI_febbraio-300x293.avif 300w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SPI_febbraio-768x751.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SPI_febbraio-1536x1502.avif 1536w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SPI_febbraio-2048x2002.avif 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fig. 5. Precipitation anomaly in Italy during December. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Apennines: slower recovery, shorter season<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The situation differs in Central and Southern Italy. January also brought precipitation here, but within a context of above-average temperatures. In the Apennines, the deficit stands at approximately \u201339%, and accumulation has recovered more slowly than in the Alps, precisely because higher temperatures counteract new snowfall.  <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-flourish wp-block-embed-flourish\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" title=\"Interactive or visual content\" src=\"https:\/\/flo.uri.sh\/visualisation\/27664354\/embed#?secret=AC2ckkozSv\" data-secret=\"AC2ckkozSv\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" height=\"575\" width=\"700\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fig. 6. Integrated Snow Water Equivalent evolution across the Italian Apennines. The orange line represents the SWE for the current season; the light blue line represents last season; the grey line and shaded band indicate the historical mean and interannual variability.   <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The difference is not only quantitative but also seasonal: at these latitudes, the system is gradually approaching the period when snow accumulation reaches its peak and begins transitioning steadily into runoff. The time available to close the gap is diminishing. <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The contrast between the Po and Adige basins<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">January\u2019s effect is particularly evident in the Po River basin, where accumulation has fully benefited from snowfall, especially in Piedmont. In some areas of the provinces of Turin and Cuneo, surpluses reach +150%, while the basin-wide value stands at \u201312%, well within normal seasonal variability. <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-flourish wp-block-embed-flourish\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" title=\"Interactive or visual content\" src=\"https:\/\/flo.uri.sh\/visualisation\/27664441\/embed#?secret=okNE8yxHcM\" data-secret=\"okNE8yxHcM\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" height=\"575\" width=\"700\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fig. &nbsp;7. Trend of snow water equivalent in the &nbsp;Po River basin. The orange line represents the snow water equivalent for the current season, aggregated over the entire national territory. The light blue line represents the total snow water equivalent for the previous season, while the grey line and shaded area indicate, respectively, the long-term average and interannual variability.  <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the Adige River basin, however, conditions remain more critical. The deficit stands at \u201330%, and the seasonal trajectory closely mirrors last year\u2019s pattern at this point in time. The basin remains below its \u201cnormal\u201d variability range, indicating a continuing snow drought condition.  <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-flourish wp-block-embed-flourish\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" title=\"Interactive or visual content\" src=\"https:\/\/flo.uri.sh\/visualisation\/27664135\/embed#?secret=Y0sjz4xqsz\" data-secret=\"Y0sjz4xqsz\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" height=\"575\" width=\"700\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fig. 8. Trend of snow water equivalent in the Adige River basin. The orange line represents the snow water equivalent for the current season, aggregated over the entire national territory. The light blue line represents the total snow water equivalent for the previous season, while the grey line and shaded area indicate, respectively, the long-term average and interannual variability.   <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Altitudinal distribution further highlights marked differences. In the Po basin, from 800 meters upward, conditions are close to average, with even a surplus between 800 and 1500 meters, precisely in the foothill areas that had shown greater vulnerability in recent years.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In contrast, along the Adige basin, deficits persist throughout the entire elevation profile, particularly at mid to low elevations, while only the highest elevations show relatively better resilience.<\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e0ddde\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e0ddde;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"803\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SWE-ANOMALY-BY-ELEVATION-PO-February-1024x803.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16688 not-transparent\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SWE-ANOMALY-BY-ELEVATION-PO-February-1024x803.avif 1024w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SWE-ANOMALY-BY-ELEVATION-PO-February-300x235.avif 300w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SWE-ANOMALY-BY-ELEVATION-PO-February-768x602.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SWE-ANOMALY-BY-ELEVATION-PO-February-1536x1204.avif 1536w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SWE-ANOMALY-BY-ELEVATION-PO-February.avif 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fig. 9. Snow water equivalent (SWE) anomaly, represented by one point every 100 metres of elevation, highlighting the elevational distribution of the deficit across the Po River basin. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e1dfdf\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e1dfdf;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"803\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SWE-ANOMALY-BY-ELEVATION-ADIGE-February-1024x803.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16690 not-transparent\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SWE-ANOMALY-BY-ELEVATION-ADIGE-February-1024x803.avif 1024w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SWE-ANOMALY-BY-ELEVATION-ADIGE-February-300x235.avif 300w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SWE-ANOMALY-BY-ELEVATION-ADIGE-February-768x602.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SWE-ANOMALY-BY-ELEVATION-ADIGE-February-1536x1204.avif 1536w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SWE-ANOMALY-BY-ELEVATION-ADIGE-February.avif 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fig. 10. Snow water equivalent (SWE) anomaly, represented by one point every 100 metres of elevation, highlighting the elevational distribution of the deficit across the Adige River basin. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tiber basin and Apennine variability<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Tiber River basin reflects the Apennine dynamics, with a deficit of \u201342%. In this case, however, the value still falls within normal seasonal variability. <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-flourish wp-block-embed-flourish\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" title=\"Interactive or visual content\" src=\"https:\/\/flo.uri.sh\/visualisation\/27664475\/embed#?secret=gkU7ZmTqhn\" data-secret=\"gkU7ZmTqhn\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" height=\"575\" width=\"700\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fig. 11. Trend of snow water equivalent in the Tiber River basin. The orange line represents the snow water equivalent for the current season, aggregated over the entire national territory. The light blue line represents the total snow water equivalent for the previous season, while the grey line and shaded area indicate, respectively, the long-term average and interannual variability.   <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Why is \u201342% in the Tiber considered normal variability, while \u201330% in the Adige is not? As Francesco Avanzi, snow hydrology researcher at CIMA Research Foundation, explains: \u201cIn the Apennines, snow accumulation varies much more from year to year than in the Alps. It accumulates at generally lower elevations and is strongly influenced by moist air masses from both the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic Seas, what we call a \u2018maritime snow\u2019 regime. This high interannual variability means that even marked deficits can still fall within the natural range of variability. In the Alps, by contrast, accumulation is more stable from year to year; therefore, even a smaller deviation (such as \u201330%) may signal a structural snow drought.\u201d <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contrasts and seasonal outlook<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Overall, the current snow season is characterized by marked contrasts. For some regions, such as Piedmont, this is among the best snow seasons since 2010\u20132011; for many others, values remain below the average of the past fifteen years. <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e7e3e6\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e7e3e6;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"702\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/rank-regioni-neve-15-febbraio-1024x702.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16692 not-transparent\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/rank-regioni-neve-15-febbraio-1024x702.avif 1024w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/rank-regioni-neve-15-febbraio-300x206.avif 300w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/rank-regioni-neve-15-febbraio-768x527.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/rank-regioni-neve-15-febbraio-1536x1054.avif 1536w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/rank-regioni-neve-15-febbraio.avif 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fig. 12. Comparison of Snow Water Equivalent values observed on February 15 for Italian regions from 2011 to 2026.  <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Seasonal forecasts from ItaliaMeteo indicate a very wet February across Italy, with potentially continued wet conditions in the North-West in March, while Southern Italy may experience slightly drier conditions in March.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the temperature side, February and March are expected to see a progressive return of positive temperature anomalies across much of the country. This could accelerate snowmelt and significantly influence the final seasonal balance between accumulation and runoff. <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-dominant-color=\"b8d9b5\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #b8d9b5;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"867\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anomalia_precipitazione_2026_02_p50-867x1024.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16693 not-transparent\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anomalia_precipitazione_2026_02_p50-867x1024.avif 867w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anomalia_precipitazione_2026_02_p50-254x300.avif 254w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anomalia_precipitazione_2026_02_p50-768x907.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anomalia_precipitazione_2026_02_p50-1301x1536.avif 1301w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anomalia_precipitazione_2026_02_p50-1735x2048.avif 1735w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 867px) 100vw, 867px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fig. 13. Forecast anomaly of total precipitation for February 2026 relative to the climatological average (source: ItaliaMeteo). <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e3e8db\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e3e8db;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"867\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anomalia_precipitazione_2026_03_p50-867x1024.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16694 not-transparent\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anomalia_precipitazione_2026_03_p50-867x1024.avif 867w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anomalia_precipitazione_2026_03_p50-254x300.avif 254w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anomalia_precipitazione_2026_03_p50-768x907.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anomalia_precipitazione_2026_03_p50-1301x1536.avif 1301w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anomalia_precipitazione_2026_03_p50-1735x2048.avif 1735w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 867px) 100vw, 867px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fig. 14. Forecast anomaly of total precipitation for March 2026 relative to the climatological average (source: ItaliaMeteo).  <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f0a59a\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f0a59a;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"867\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anomalia_temperatura_2026_02_p50-1-867x1024.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16696 not-transparent\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anomalia_temperatura_2026_02_p50-1-867x1024.avif 867w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anomalia_temperatura_2026_02_p50-1-254x300.avif 254w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anomalia_temperatura_2026_02_p50-1-768x907.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anomalia_temperatura_2026_02_p50-1-1301x1536.avif 1301w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anomalia_temperatura_2026_02_p50-1-1735x2048.avif 1735w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 867px) 100vw, 867px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fig. 15. Forecast anomaly of mean temperature for February 2026 relative to the climatological average (source: ItaliaMeteo).  <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f2c4be\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f2c4be;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"867\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anomalia_temperatura_2026_03_p50-867x1024.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16697 not-transparent\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anomalia_temperatura_2026_03_p50-867x1024.avif 867w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anomalia_temperatura_2026_03_p50-254x300.avif 254w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anomalia_temperatura_2026_03_p50-768x907.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anomalia_temperatura_2026_03_p50-1301x1536.avif 1301w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/anomalia_temperatura_2026_03_p50-1735x2048.avif 1735w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 867px) 100vw, 867px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fig. 16. Forecast anomaly of mean temperature for March 2026 relative to the climatological average (source: ItaliaMeteo).  <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Toward the decisive phase of the season<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">January marked a turning point, bringing many Alpine areas back close to average conditions. Nevertheless, the season remains heterogeneous and still open. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The coming phase will be decisive: between abundant precipitation and rising temperatures, the balance between accumulation and melt will determine spring and summer water availability. The next update, scheduled for mid-March, will allow a more comprehensive assessment of these evolving dynamics. <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-dominant-color=\"18191a\" data-has-transparency=\"true\" style=\"--dominant-color: #18191a;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"910\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/italia-con-fiumi-feb26-1024x910.avif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16674 has-transparency\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/italia-con-fiumi-feb26-1024x910.avif 1024w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/italia-con-fiumi-feb26-300x267.avif 300w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/italia-con-fiumi-feb26-768x682.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/italia-con-fiumi-feb26-1536x1365.avif 1536w, https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/italia-con-fiumi-feb26.avif 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fig. 17. Percentage of Snow Water Equivalent across the main Italian river basins.  <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The snow season has entered its central phase and, as often happens, snow accumulation does not evolve along a linear path. After an early season marked by widespread delays, January brought a significant acceleration, with widespread snowfall across large portions of Italy\u2019s mountain regions. The third update from CIMA Research Foundation shows a national picture [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":16709,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[88],"class_list":["post-16710","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-snow"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16710","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16710"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16710\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16731,"href":"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16710\/revisions\/16731"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16709"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16710"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16710"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cimafoundation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16710"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}