Europe Daily Snow

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By Luke Stone, Forecaster Posted 1 year ago December 7, 2022

Significant Storm for the French/Swiss Alps This Week

Summary

After a few quiet days on Wednesday and Thursday, another storm is will deliver big snow totals, especially in the Western Alps form Thursday night through Saturday. More than 60 cms are likely in the upper elevations of the French Alps. Following a very short break, another system moves in, with the focus more on the eastern Alps. Beyond that, the next major storm looks to arrive around the 16th.

Short Term Forecast

Are you enjoying the break in the action and new resorts opening up every day? This past weekend delivered solid totals to the Alps of northeastern Italy. Check out this shot from San Domenico.

Most resorts in this region saw 40 - 90 cms from the weekend storm. Below are some weekend totals:

  • Scopello Alpe Di Mera (Opening December 7th): 112cms
  • Valle Vigezzo: 89 cms
  • Alagna: 71 cms
  • Passo Rolle: 58 cms
  • Sappada: 46 cms
  • Cogne: 38 cms

Switzerland did very well with this storm too, with some select totals below:

  • Bosco Gurin: 94 cms
  • San Bernadino: 69 cms
  • Andermatt: 43 cms

The following storm, which impacted Austria from the 5th to 6th, dropped some solid totals too, in the 25 - 60 cm range for many resorts. Many resorts in the French Alps came in within this 25 - 60 cm range as well. 

Forecast for Wednesday 12/7 - Thursday AM 12/8

Before we start talking about the next big snow storm, we have to get though the next few days. Across the Alps, temperatures will be a bit below normal, as a cold front sags down from the North. The Pyrenees, however, will stay above normal as the front stays to the North. It is interesting to see the latitudinal extent of this cold front stretching across most of Europe, seen below.

Most of Thursday will be dry before the next system approaches. 

Forecast for Thursday PM 12/8 - Saturday AM 12/10

Light snow will begin in the afternoon in the Pyrenees and in the evening for the western Alps, as a warm front crosses the region. There will be good dynamical support for strong lift during this time, so snow will quickly intensify. Not long after midnight, the warm front stalls, and begins shifting South. This should result in some high quality right side up snow from this storm. Even with the advancing warm front, snow levels in the western Alps should stay below 1500m, and drop to around 1200m as the cold front passes. In the eastern Alps, the snow levels should stay below 1200m the entire time. Moderate to heavy snow will continue in the western Alps through Friday afternoon. We will see a wind shift during the storm, associated with the cold front, so both the eastern and western sides of the French alps should see good snow totals.

The heavy snow will shift east, into the central and eastern Alps, early Friday morning and throughout the day, lasting into the evening. In the eastern Alps though, the period of southerly winds lasts longer and occurs when the best dynamics and moisture are available, so the southern side of this region will be deeper than the northern. This heavier snow will fall in the Alps along the Italy/Austria border, with lighter amounts to the north.  

Overall, I am expecting some impressive totals from this storm by Saturday, with the highest amounts in the French Alps, where 60 - 90 cms are possible. Totals will be even higher at upper elevations. The Swiss Alps should come in a little below that, in the 40 - 60 cm range in the western part of the country, with less to the east. And the eastern Alps along the Italy/Austria border can expect 15 - 25 cms from this first wave. 

Below is the European model forecast for this storm.

Forecast for Saturday PM 12/10 - Monday PM 12/12

Another push of moisture arrives right on the heals of the last one, with a bullseye on the eastern Alps this time. Due to the track of this wave, winds will be from the North during this round of snow. Thus, the the northern side of the eastern Alps will be favored, and receive moderate snow from Saturday night through Sunday evening. Again, the deepest snow will be on the Italy/Austria border, but extending farther north and east due to the prolonged northerly flow. Expect an additional 25 - 50 cms along the IT/AT border and 15 - 35 cms along the northeastern side of the Alps. Snow showers will linger in the mountains through Monday. Below is the model forecast accumulation for the second wave of snow.

Extended Forecast

Outlook for Tuesday 12/13 - Saturday 12/17

Some light snow is possible during the Tuesday to Thursday timeframe, with totals in the 5 - 15 cm range, highest in the western Alps. Towards the end of the work week, we have the the potential for another solid snowstorm in the Alps. Models disagree on the start time, but snow should develop between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, again with the bullseye in the western Alps. Right now, this looks like another 30 cm + storm, but we need a little more time to iron out the details.

Thanks again for reading the forecast. Follow me @lstone84 on Instagram to track and chase storms all Winter long!

About Our Forecaster

Luke Stone

Forecaster

Luke Stone earned his M.S. in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Utah, with a research focus on seasonal forecasting. Luke has scored deep days around the world, including coast-to-coast across the United States, Canada, and Europe.

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