Snow in the Alps — when it falls and which passes close first
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Snow and temperature map
The map below defaults to forecast snow accumulation. The second button matters more, though: temperature. That is what determines whether precipitation stays frozen.
Snow map
By default you see forecast snow accumulation. Switch to temperature to check whether precipitation will stay as snow or turn to rain.
Model forecast, not an official warning. Pass closures and chain requirements are announced by national road authorities.
Rule of thumb: with freezing point at ground level, the snow line usually sits 200–300 metres below the zero isotherm quoted in forecasts, because falling snow chills the air around it. In heavy precipitation it can drop further and catch drivers out in the valley.
Which passes close first
The closing order in the Alps is predictable. It follows altitude and exposure, not administrative decisions.
- Timmelsjoch (2474 m, Austria–Italy) — usually first to close, often in October, reopening in May.
- Grossglockner High Alpine Road (2504 m) — toll road, closed entirely for winter.
- Furka, Grimsel, Susten (Switzerland, 2200–2400 m) — shut from October to May.
- Stelvio (2757 m, Italy) — the highest drivable pass in the Eastern Alps, closed in winter.
- Brenner (1370 m) — open year-round via the A13/A22 motorway, though restrictions apply during snowfall.
If you are crossing between November and May, plan through tunnels and motorways rather than passes, even when the sat-nav offers a shorter route.
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The common mistake is pressing on „just a bit further”. Losing traction on an alpine hairpin means you will not restart, and you block everyone behind you.
- Fit chains before the climb, in a lay-by, not halfway up a gradient.
- On descents, brake with the engine in a lower gear than usual.
- Never overtake a snowplough — the road is cleared behind it, not ahead.
- Carry water, a blanket and a power bank. A jam on a pass can last hours.
The emergency number across the EU is 112. Road status comes from national operators: ASFINAG in Austria, TCS in Switzerland, Autostrade and ANAS in Italy.
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