FORECAST FRIDAY: SNOW IN THE FRENCH ALPS

Last week, the Alps got a large amount of snow. In many places, the snow layer is more than a meter thick, in Tyrol and South-Tyrol the snow depth is locally even more than 2 meters. Today and tomorrow, especially the Western and Northwestern parts of the Alps will receive some snow. From Monday, warmer air enters the Alps. In the second half of next week, the chances of precipitation increase, but the temperature is not certain.

Snowfall from the west

Today some snow will fall in France, Switzerland, and Western-Italy, but no extreme amounts. Most snow will fall in the French Alps with 5-10 centimeters in many places. Locally 15 centimeters of fresh snow is possible. In the Northwest of Switzerland, also strong wind gusts of about 100 kilometers per hour can occur on the tops. On Saturday, more snow will follow on the northern and western edges, this time also in Austria. The snow line is located between 500 and 1000 meters in height in most places.

Snowfall in the French Alps on Friday

From Monday higher temperatures

At the start of next week, milder air will be present over the Alps. The snow line will climb to above 1000 meters height, at the northern edge even up to 2200 meters. It is mostly dry and especially on Monday it could also be sunny. From Wednesday, the temperature could decrease and the chances for precipitation increase again. It is still a question from what height the precipitation falls as snow.

Snow outside the Alps

Coming days, the Alps are not the region with the most snowfall in Europe. In the Pyrenees, up to 80 centimeters of snow is possible of which most fall tomorrow. On Monday, the South of Norway receives about 10 centimeters of snow.