Weather tracker: Storm brings well over a metre of snow to peaks in Alps

A snowstorm developed across the Alps on Saturday 21 December due to a low-pressure system situated over the Adriatic Sea. This depression allowed relatively warm and moist air to push into the Alps, condensing and falling as snow as it met the much colder alpine air mass. Snowfall continued for several days, with well over 1 metre of snow on some peaks and significant snowfall across many ski villages. Consequently, there was a significant avalanche risk over the Christmas period.

Ski resorts in Bulgaria also experienced significant snow starting on Christmas Day, which caused disruption in the mountainous west, where ski resorts had to temporarily shut down due to road closures. Towns such as Troyan, Samokov and Teteven were particularly badly affected with snowdrifts and power failures.

Meanwhile, in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, heavy snowfall on Monday caused four deaths. The town of Rohru received the highest snowfall with 24cm, followed by the towns of Sangla and Shillai which received 16.5cm and 15.3cm respectively. More than 200 roads were closed across the state, with more than 1,000 vehicles stuck near the Atal tunnel in Manali, leading to a 12-hour rescue operation.

Earlier this week, a low-pressure system brought heavy rain and strong winds across Fiji, causing substantial flooding. New Zealand’s meteorological agency said 130mm of rain fell within 24 hours from 3pm on Christmas Eve to 3pm on Christmas Day.

River flooding was a major problem, and police advised residents to move to higher ground. Roads were damaged due to the flood water, and there is now a risk of landslides. Further rain is expected all across Fiji as another low-pressure system arrives later this week.

Stormy conditions brought large swells to Santa Cruz, California this week, with estimates of the swell reaching up to 10.7 metres (35ft). The municipal wharf, which was under construction, partially collapsed, with about 45 metres of it falling into the ocean. This follows another storm the previous week, which brought wind speeds of up to 60mph to San Francisco, and a tornado that developed in Scotts Valley approximately 70 miles south of San Francisco, which tore through the town toppling trees and cars.