For the last several weeks, the pattern has been favorable for heavy snow in the western Alps, mainly. The Austrian Alps have been a bit too far east to really get huge totals during this time. With the next several rounds of snow, however, the emphasis WILL be on the eastern Alps and Austria. After a bit of light snow today and Wednesday, the epic storm will get started Wednesday night and continue through the weekend.

Forecast for Wednesday 2/1 - Wednesday 2/8

Several waves of snow will deliver big totals to the Austrian Alps during the next week. This really is three different storms, but with no real break in between, I will just discuss them one by one in this week-long snow event. Temperatures will start cool for round #1, and get progressively colder through the week, allowing snow quality to improve and producing a right-side up long-duration snow event. This storm track will result in winds will consistently from the north and northwest, favoring the northern side of the Austrial Alps. 

Storm #1

The first of three rounds of snow will kick off Wednesday night, as a strong upper-level low pressure system moves in from the northwest. As mentioned, temperatures will start out cool, and heavy snow will be falling Wednesday night through the morning. Thursday will be the first powder day in this series, with 10-20 cms overnight, and heavy snow continuing throughout the day. Another 20-40 cms is likely Thursday night into Friday, resulting in the second powder day of this cycle. Snow will continue through the day on Friday before tapering to light snow in the afternoon. Below are the expected totals for the first wave.

Storm #2

The next piece of energy arrives Friday night, resulting in the snow becoming heavy once again. The heaviest snow for this round will be a bit farther west, but all of the Austrian Alps will continue to receive snow. Temperatures will continue to cool, and for Saturday morning expect 15-30 cms of fresh snow for the third powder day, with more during the day. Below are the expected totals for the second wave. 

Storm #3

The third wave of snow in this wonderful storm cycle arrives in the overnight hours on Sunday, with the coldest air of the period. Moderate snow will continues, tapering to light snow/flurries by morning. Snow continues to become lower density and better quality. Powder day number five in the series will feature 8-16 cms, with light snow continuing in the morning. Snow will once again intensify midday Sunday, and remain heavy through Monday afternoon. Monday morning, the sixth powder day, has the potential for another 15-30 cms fresh. Below are the expected totals from the third wave, which could linger through Wednesday with light snow.

For this entire week-long event, snow could surpass 2m in the higher elevations of the Austrian Alps. This will be a game-changing storm. The seven-day snow forecast from the European model is impressive.

 

Outlook for Thursday 2/9 - Monday 2/13

Once this epic storm cycle winds down, the models disagree on what comes next. The European model has a ridge developing, drying things out for a bit, while the American model has light snow continuing through the middle of the month. I will keep monitoring this and hopefully have a better idea in my next update.

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