Provision of a prediction system allowing for management and optimization of snow in Alpine ski resorts (PROSNOW)

Rising temperatures can decrease snow cover, cause earlier spring melts or shorter snow cover seasons in winter resorts. The PROSNOW project aimed at building a meteorological and climate prediction system supporting the management and optimization of snow in Alpine ski resorts. It built a demonstrator of a meteorological and climate prediction system from one week to several months ahead applied to snow management, specifically tailored to the needs of the ski industry using a co-design approach. This novel climate service holds significant potential to increase the resilience of socio-economic mountain stakeholders and supports their real-time climate change adaptation potential.

PROSNOW applied state-of-the-art knowledge relevant to the predictability of atmospheric and snow conditions, then develop products well beyond state-of-the-art operational tools. Improved anticipation capabilities at all time scales, spanning from "weather forecast" (up to 5 days typically) to "climate prediction" at the seasonal scale (up to several months), were achieved through a seamless integration of weather and seasonal prediction products, together with snowpack models, in-situ and remotely-sensed observations and cutting-edge statistical tools in support of the decision making process.

PROSNOW eases the decision-making process and provides more precise snow data to inform snow management strategies and tactics throughout the winter season.

ECCA 2021 - Climate Adaptation solutions video - PROSNOW