The last storm in this latest series is underway, and snow levels are falling. The models have trended stronger with this system, and snow totals will be higher than previously expected. A few more powder days are in store across the Alps and Pyrenees as well before the break.

The track of this storm will bring westerly winds initially, followed by a period of northerly winds. This will allow the western Alps as well as the northern central and eastern Alps to all receive heavy snow. Parts of the French Alps have already seen this transition with some deep overnight totals reported this morning. 

Snow will continue today (Thursday), tapering to showers Friday morning before wrapping up over the eastern Alps tomorrow evening. The heaviest snow on Thursday and Friday will fall in the central/eastern Swiss Alps, Austrian Alps, and Pyrenees. In the central/eastern Swiss Alps and Austrian Alps, expect 10 - 20 cms during the day on Thursday and another 8 - 16 cms Thursday night. Light snow will continue on Friday as well, with a few more cms possible. Overall, these should be the best pow days in Switzerland and Austria. Eastern Switzerland and western Austria will be the deepest. 

Check out the snow forecast from the European model from Thursday morning through Friday. 

Things should clear out in the western Alps Friday morning and later in the day in the eastern Alps. This will be the start of our break from storms. This break will last from Friday through Tuesday/Wednesday, with warming temperatures and some sunshine. This will be the first extended period without storms in over a month, and we may not have another for a bit, so enjoy the sun.

Confidence is increasing on a return to stormy weather early next week. The models are showing a very strong and deep trough over northern Europe that could bring heavy snow to the Alps once again.

There are some early indications that this could be another extended cold and deep period for the western and northern Alps. A series of storms with west/northwest flow could bring big totals and many powder days around the holidays. I am looking at flights. 

Thanks for reading the Europe Daily Snow! 

Luke Stone
Forecaster, OpenSnow

Download Offline Trail Maps

Before losing service on the mountain, add ski resort trail maps to your Favorites screen in the OpenSnow app and download them to view offline.

1. Go to Favorites > Trail Maps > Add Trail Maps
2. Search for the ski resort and select the trail map
3. Go back to Favorites > Trail Maps
4. Tap the cloud icon in the lower right
5. Blue Cloud Icon = Available Offline

You can also go to Settings > Your Favorites > Trail Maps in the OpenSnow app to edit and/or view any trail map that you have already favorited.

Favorites → Trail Maps