The second phase of our most recent storm delivered huge totals in the southwestern Alps over the last few days. They are digging out from 1 - 2 + meters as this late-season surge continues. The final phase of the storm is underway and will bring moderate to have snow to the northern and southern sides of the eastern Alps through Thursday. After a quick break for most of Thursday and Friday, the next storm system arrives Friday night. 

Moderate to heavy snow continues on Wednesday morning and will persist through the evening hours. Snow will linger through Thursday morning, decreasing in intensity from west to east. Total accumulations from this round of snow will be in the 20 - 40 cm range, with isolated areas of 30 - 60 cms. This storm will feature a nice cold front, so we’ll have right-side-up snow finishing with a good density. The track of the storm will cause winds to converge over the eastern Alps, with northwest and southwest flow colliding. This will allow for solid accumulations on both sides of the range. 

From Thursday afternoon through most of the day on Friday we should see a break in the action across most of the Alps and Pyrenees. The next storm arrives around Friday evening bringing another period of snow. 

This storm will come in two waves as well, the first from Friday night through Saturday, and the second from Saturday night through Tuesday. Significant accumulations are expected during this period.

The southern Alps look to be favored again, from the eastern side to the west, with lesser amounts in the northern Alps. 

The long-range models show a possible break between storms for the middle and latter part of next week, as a ridge builds in over Western Europe. Storms may return the following weekend. The signal isn’t especially strong though, so it bears watching over the next week. 

Thanks for reading the Europe Daily Snow!

Luke Stone
Forecaster, OpenSnow