The big storm this weekend is still on track, albeit a little less strong. However another storm should arrive less than 24 hours later with additional heavy snow, resulting in impressive 5 day totals across the Alps.

Conditions in parts of France after some recent snow have been pretty good, despite the warm temperatures. 

Forecast for Thursday 1/5 - Friday 1/6

Before the main event this weekend, we have today's small snow event to get through. Snow is already underway in Switzerland, where about 3 - 10 cms will fall through the end of the day. Light snow will linger in the eastern Alps in Austria through the early hours of Friday. Lesser amounts of a few centimeters up to 5 cms expected in the Austrian Alps. As mentioned, snow levels will be a bit on the high side (1500m) for this small storm. European model snow forecast below.

Forecast for Saturday 1/7 - Wednesday 1/11

Finally. A big storm is within sight, within range. Some slight changes in the models have occurred since the last forecast. First, the storm is not as strong as previously indicated by models. The heaviest snow will occur for less time, resulting in lower snow totals, and be more focused on the western Alps. The good news, however, is that a second strong storm is possible right on the heels of this one, and I'll have some more details on that below. The deepest snow will be in the western Alps, near the France/Italy and Switzerland/Italy border, due in part to the west and northwest winds. 

Light snow will begin in the Pyrenees on Saturday afternoon, and Saturday evening in the Alps. Snow becomes heavy overnight in the Pyrenees and Sunday morning in the Alps. Light snow may linger through Tuesday morning in the Pyrenees, and possible through Thursday morning in the Alps. The moderate to heavy snow will likely taper to light snow on Wednesday morning.

Snow levels will start high, around 1000 - 1200m, but falling to 750 - 900m on Monday, with continued snowfall. You can see the cold front arrival Monday and Tuesday should have the biggest overnight dumps, with Tuesday featuring the best quality snow and solid totals since lifts closed on Monday.

Wednesday should have additional new snow overnight, but with warming temperatures. Unfortunately, a warm front arrives Tuesday afternoon shooting snow levels back up to 1800m. 

Below is the snow forecast from the European model.

The highest elevations of the along the France/Italy/Switzerland border could see up to 1 m of snow by the end of the storm. Mid elevations in this region should see 70-100 cms, with lesser totals as you move south and east, but still 40 - 70 cms for most of the French and Swiss Alps. Amounts start to drop off quite a bit as you get into the eastern part of the Swiss Alps and Austria, with 20 - 30 cms and 10 - 20 cms respectively. 

Forecast for Thursday 1/12 - Sunday 1/15

Without much of a break, the models show another storm starting after midnight on Thursday. As another low pressure system moves across Europe, a bit farther north this time, another 20 - 40 cms are possible. Since this is still one week away, I will update the details on this storm in a future post. 

Outlook for Monday 1/16 - Friday 1/20

The models keep the active weather going into the third week of the month. While there are no signs for another large storm, more snow is likely during this time, and small changes could lead to a bigger event. 

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