Item: RAIN-ON-SNOW (ROS) EVENTS IN THE ITALIAN ALPS AND INCREASED AVALANCHE ACTIVITY
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Title: RAIN-ON-SNOW (ROS) EVENTS IN THE ITALIAN ALPS AND INCREASED AVALANCHE ACTIVITY
Proceedings: Proceedings, International Snow Science Workshop, Whistler, BC, Canada, 2026
Authors:
- Valt M. [ Arabba Avalanche Centre - ARPAV, Livinallongo del Col di Lana, BL, Italy ] [ AINEVA, Trento, TN, Italy ]
- Bee C. [ Arabba Avalanche Centre - ARPAV, Livinallongo del Col di Lana, BL, Italy ] [ University of Trento - DICAM, Trento, TN, Italy ]
- Monti F. [ AlpSolut, Livigno SO, Italy ]
Date: 2026-09-28
Abstract: On the southern side of the European Alps (Italian Alps), an increase in the number of rain-on-snow (ROS) events has been observed, including during the winter season. Over the past 10 years, several such events have been observed above 6,560 feet (2,000 meters) in elevation, even in January. Overall, winter precipitation, measured in millimetres of precipitation, has not changed over the past 30 years, but the amount of new snow has decreased at all elevations. In February, the average elevation of the rain/snowfall boundary rose by more than 400 m (1,312 ft) in certain areas. Given these changes in the rain/snow regime, an investigation was conducted to determine whether avalanche activity has changed over the past 30 years. The study, based on daily observations from over 200 manual stations, revealed an increase in the percentage of wet-snow avalanches, especially large ones, over the past 10 years.
Object ID: ISSW2026_P1.54.pdf
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15788/1790098845
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Fabiano Monti
Keywords: ROS, SNOW, ALPS, SNOWFALL, WET AVALANCHES
Page Number(s): 2053 - 2059
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