Snow returned to the Swiss Alps on Wednesday after an unusually warm and dry start to autumn, closing several mountain passes. More is forecast this weekend, with up to 25cm expected between the Dents du Midi and the Mont Blanc massif.
Webcam images showed peaks including the Matterhorn and the Dents du Midi covered in snow. The change follows a summer heatwave that melted many of the remaining snowfields.
Alpine passes close
The Furka (2,429 metres), Gotthard (2,108 metres), Nufenen (2,478 metres), Grimsel (2,164 metres), San Bernardino (2,065 metres), Sanetsch (2,252 metres) and Susten (2,234 metres) passes are closed until further notice. The Great St Bernard (2,469 metres) and Grosse Scheidegg (1,962 metres) passes have already closed for the winter.
Further snowfall could force more closures.
More snow this weekend
After a brief respite on Thursday, a low-pressure system will bring rain and snow to Switzerland from Friday, according to MeteoSwiss, the national weather service. The snow line could fall to 1,200 metres over the weekend.
Between 5cm and 15cm of fresh snow could accumulate above 2,000 metres, with up to 25cm forecast between the Dents du Midi, in the Chablais region, and the Mont Blanc massif.
The wintry weather may prove short-lived. MeteoSwiss forecasts a return to sunshine and milder temperatures next week.
More on this:
Swiss Tourism webcams
Verbier webcams
Zermatt webcams
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