Weather
It is snowing everywhere on the planet this week. Everywhere except South America and Antarctica, that is. But with temperatures in Antarctica reaching -40°F (-40°C) next week and 3,000 feet of permafrost, the last thing you probably need is snow.
Here is a brief overview of snow forecasts across the globe for the next seven days:
North America
The US and Canada have forecasts ranging from around 12 inches for Heavenly and Mammoth to a staggering 44 inches (114cm) in Whistler, Canada, for the next seven days. The US west coast has been experiencing record-breaking snow in December and January, and snow depth currently is at almost 200% of the seasonal average in California.
Europe
After a below-average start to the ski season in Europe, the snowfalls have finally arrived in the European Alps. Austria will see the most snowfall, with forecasts ranging from 16 inches (40cm) for Serfaus Ladis to up to 43 inches (110cm) in Saalbach Hinterglemm over the next seven days. Meanwhile, Switzerland is expecting somewhere between 4-12 inches (10-30cm), with snowfalls highest in the east of the country, close to the Austrian border, where the weather front is centered. Switzerland, however, still has elevated avalanche danger from snowfalls in late January, followed by frigid temperatures, which made the snow layer unstable. Two skiers are still missing in Valais, where an avalanche went down three days ago. France will likely only have a dusting from this weather pattern.
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Africa
The Moroccan ski resort of Oukaimeden, situated in the Atlas mountains about 1 hour and 40 minutes south of Marrakesh, is forecast to have an inch of snow during these seven days. The Oukaimeden ski area extends from 8,500 ft to 10,500 ft and is serviced by six lifts. This week’s snowfall is the first natural snow in the Atlas mountains this season.
Asia
Like the US and Canada, Japan has been having a bumper season, and there is more of the white stuff in the forecast for the week. Forecasts for Japan range from 11 inches (28cm) in Hakuba on Japan’s main island to 16 inches (40cm) in Niseko, located on the island of Hokkaido further north.
Australia
Most surprisingly, there is snow forecast for Australia — it is currently the peak of summer in the southern hemisphere, making the forecast very unusual. A vigorous cold front from Antarctica reached the Australian states of South Australia (SA) and Victoria (VIC) and will move from there through southern New South Wales (NSW). The Australian resort of Perisher saw snow today, Friday, February 3, 2023, and webcams have shown a thin snow blanket from top to bottom of the resort. Six inches (16cm) of snow are forecast for Friday and a dusting for Saturday. Naturally, this rare weather pattern will not last, and summer will return downunder by early next week. The last time Australia had snow in February was 18 years ago.
