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J10

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  1. J10
    This is the first in a series of blogs looking at the Snow and Skiing conditions for the Alps for winter 2011-12.

    A cursory look at the webcams across the Alps will show that snow levels are currently on recent at this early stage, and that temps over the Alps have been milder than normal so far in November.

    As an example the following table shows maximum temps for Zermatt (1600m - Switzerland) and Salzburg (450m - Austria), this only gives a snapshot, but it can be seen that Temps are milder in 2011 than in both 2010 and 2009, and it is unusual that there has been a cold snap recently.

    [attachment=123366:Winter Temps.JPG] <- Table with temps of Zermatt and Salzburg.

    Synoptically can this be explained, firstly if we were to look at this years patterns, this gives the 850Hpa temps across Europe and the wind direction.

    [attachment=123368:GFS 01 Nov.png] [attachment=123369:GFS 02 Nov.png][attachment=123370:GFS 03 Nov.png] [attachment=123371:GFS 04 Nov.png] [attachment=123372:GFS 05 Nov.png] [attachment=123373:GFS 06 Nov.png]
    [attachment=123374:GFS 07 Nov.png] [attachment=123375:GFS 08 Nov.png] [attachment=123376:GFS 09 Nov.png]
    [attachment=123377:GFS 10 Nov.png] [attachment=123378:GFS 11 Nov.png] [attachment=123379:GFS 12 Nov.png]


    At no time is there a wind from any northerly direction for the Alps, and for the majority of the period, 850HPA temps are above +5c, the only exception being for Eastern Austria after the 10th.

    In Summary, At the start of November, there was a High Pressure over Eastern Europe with low pressure further west, and the Alps in the middle seeing mild Tropical Maritime air with South Westerly winds. By around the 5th-7th, low pressure took over for much of Continental Europe, but with winds remaining from a SW direction bringing 850Hpa temps around +10c for a while. By around the 10th, High Pressure edging back into Eastern Europe with winds edging back to a SE direction, with less mild winds trying to edge in from the South East.

    If you look at previous years, there has been some colder air at different times across early November.

    2010 started mild with a Bartlett style High.
    [attachment=123380:Nov 4 2010 850Hpa.gif] [attachment=123381:Nov 4 2010.gif]

    However winds then turned around to a Northerly direction on the 6th, this gave Polar Maritime air which lasted for a few days, giving a general cool down across the Alps.
    [attachment=123382:Nov 7 2010.gif] [attachment=123383:Nov 8 2010 850Hpa.gif] [attachment=123384:Nov 10 2010 850Hpa.gif] [attachment=123385:Nov 10 2010.gif]

    [attachment=123386:Matterhorn Nov 2010.jpg] [attachment=123387:Matterhorn Nov 2011.jpg] This gave a topup of snow for November 2010 as opposed to the less snowy picture for 2011, however much of the snow seen on the slope above Zermatt was delivered during the 4th-8th November.

    2009 saw more of a pronounced change around over the Alps. again it started mild with a High pressure to the east bringing in southerly winds. However by the 3rd winds had changed round to a NW flow, with associated polar maritime air. It stayed quite cool for a few days, before low pressure brought NE winds and sub zero 850Hpa air.

    [attachment=123395:Nov 1 2009 850 Hpa.gif] [attachment=123388:Nov 3 2009.gif]
    [attachment=123389:Nov 6 2009 b.gif] [attachment=123394:Nov 6 2009 850 Hpa.gif]
    [attachment=123390:Nov 9 2009.gif] [attachment=123393:Nov 9 2009 850 Hpa.gif]
    [attachment=123391:Nov 12 2009.gif] [attachment=123392:Nov 12 2009 850Hpa.gif]

    Even though the Alps do not require perfect weather conditions to bring cold weather and snow, indeed 0c at 850HPA will bring snow to most resorts over the Alps. It is just as vulnerable to Bartlett High and Southerly winds as the UK.

    A look ahead for the rest of November prospects will follow over the next few days, and I will also post a few more webcams to show the difference between this year and previous ones on the ongoing discussion thread here. - > [url="http://forum.netweather.tv/topic/71533-alps-snow-and-weather-conditions-2011-2012"]http://forum.netweat...tions-2011-2012[/url]
  2. J10
    [size=3][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][b]Summary[/b]

    The deep freeze has been controlling the weather over the continent and the Alps for some time, however there are signs of it turning a little bit less cold and perhaps milder by the end of next week.

    Generally conditions are good, both in terms of the snow and sunshine, however it will be very cold to at least start the week.[/font][/size]

    [url="http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=skicentre;sess="]http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=skicentre;sess=[/url]

    [size=3][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][b]Synoptic Summary[/b]

    Currently the Siberian High continues to dominate the weather in Europe, with very cold conditions generally, with only really the Iberian peninsula, parts of the UK and to an extent Northern Scandinavia missing out on the very cold conditions.

    Over the weekend there are signs of the high pressure finally retreating back east, however staying very cold over most of Europe and turning colder even over parts of Spain, and Northern Scandinavia, the UK remains milder as a mini HP cell bring tropical maritime air from the south west.

    For the mid of next week, a NW flow tries to push in over the UK, with a trough also pushing in through Scandinavia, cold over most of Europe, only the far west inc parts of the Uk missing out. Possibly turning a little milder over the UK from the north, As tropical maritime air feeds in around the HP.

    Towards the end of the week, this milder air over the UK, may start to feed in over the continent, including the Alps, lessening the bitterly cold spell.

    [b]Alps Detail[/b]

    [b]Freezing Levels (noon)[/b]
    [b]Sat 11 Feb - [/b]0-300m generally, 400m-700m France/Italy border
    [b]Sun [/b][b]12 Feb[/b][b] - [/b]0-300m generally, 300m-700m France/Italy border, S Switzerland, SW Austria
    [b][b]Mon 13[/b][/b][b] Feb[/b][b][b] - [/b][/b]0-700m generally, 700m-1100m France/Italy border, S Switzerland, SW Austria
    [b][b]Tue[/b][/b][b] 14 Feb[/b][b][b] -[/b][/b] 200m-700m generally, 700m-1100m France/Italy border, S Switzerland, SW Austria
    [b]Wed 15 Feb - [/b]500-800m generally, 1000m-1300m France/Italy border and S Switzerland, SW Austria
    [b][b]Thur 16 Feb - [/b][/b]800-1000m North East, up to 2000m far South West
    [b][b]Fri 17 Feb -[/b][/b] 800-1000m, up to 2000m in many areas, possibly 2200m South West

    [b]Freezing Levels (6am)[/b]

    [b]Sat 11 Feb to Wed 15 Feb[/b] - below freezing to sea level
    [b][b]Thur 16 Feb - [/b][/b][b][b]0-800m Generally[/b][/b]
    [b][b]Fri 17 Feb -[/b][/b] 0-400m Generally, pockets towards Italy around 1400m

    [b]850 Hpa Temps (noon)[/b]
    [b]Sat 11 Feb - [/b]Generally below -10c, pockets -15c to -18c
    [b]Sun 12 Feb - [/b]-7 to -10c South, -12 to -14c North and East
    [b]Mon 13 Feb - [/b]-4 to -5c South, -7 to -11c Northand East
    [b]Tue 14 Feb -[/b] -4 to -5c generally, -8 to -9c East
    [b]Wed 15 Feb - [/b]-2 to -4c South, -5 to -7c North and East
    [b][b]Thur 16 Feb -[/b][/b] 0 to 3c South, 0 to -3c North
    [b]Fri 17 Feb[/b] - 2 to 5c West, 0 to -2c Eastern Austria[/font][/size]

    [b]Alps Daily Weather[/b]

    [size=3][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][b]Sat 11 Feb -[/b] Mostly dry and Sunny, some patchy snow edging into Southern Austria and perhaps SE Switzerland from the east at times.
    [attachment=131136:10 Feb + 24 Alps.PNG]

    [b]Sun 12 Feb - [/b]Mostly dry and Sunny, the odd snow flurry possible for Southern Austria

    [attachment=131137:10 Feb + 48 Alps.PNG]

    [b]Mon 13 Feb - [/b]Mostly dry and Sunny to start, patchy snow edging into Germany initially and then spreading into N parts of both Austria and Switzerland later with the snow turning a bit heavier later for Germany.
    [attachment=131138:10 Feb + 72 Alps.PNG]

    [b]Tue 14 Feb - [/b]Overnight snow edging south, and some patchy snow possible in many places over the Alps.
    [attachment=131139:10 Feb + 96 Alps.PNG][/font][/size]

    [size=3][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][b]Wed 15 Feb - [/b]Moderate snow edging south into Germany and later into most of Switzerland and Austria
    [attachment=131140:10 Feb + 120 Alps.PNG][/font][/size]

    [size=3][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][b]Thur 16 Feb - [/b]After the overnight snow clears, it should be mostly dry with only light precipitation
    [attachment=131141:10 Feb +144 Alps.PNG][/font][/size]

    [size=3][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][b]Fri 17 Feb[/b] -Mostly Dry and Sunny
    [attachment=131142:10 Feb +168 Alps.PNG][/font][/size]
  3. J10
    [b]Summary[/b]

    After some remarkable snowfalls over the Alps over the past month, it should be a quieter week weather wise, it should be mostly dry with plenty of sunshine. There will always be a NE/SW split, always colder in Austria ,and very cold to start, and always less cold the further SW you go, but bitterly cold overnight throughout. However with all sunshine it should be a great skiing week, however there may be an avalanche risk in some areas, so beware this.

    More Details as ever on the Ski Club of GB website.

    [url="http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/snowreports/default.aspx"]http://www.skiclub.c...ts/default.aspx[/url]
    [url="http://www.snow-forecast.com/pages/tips_full"]http://www.snow-fore...pages/tips_full[/url]

    And also in the Netweather SkiCentre
    http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=skicentre;sess=

    It should turn slightly milder as the week progresses but a large degree of uncertainty as to the medium term outlook.

    [b]Synoptic Patterns and Progression[/b]

    As ever, my synoptic pattern is based on the GFS, this week there are some significant differences between this model and the others towards the end of the week. So there is greater uncertainty than normal for Friday etc.

    Currently we see low heights over the Northern Hemisphere, right from North America as far East as Svalbard, Low Pressure over Eastern Europe, with High Pressure over Russia, with the Azores High (1028mb) and a separate High Pressure over the UK (1028mb).

    The low pressure over Eastern Europe is feeding in cold or very cold air for all of Scandinavia and most of Eastern Europe as far west as the Alps (esp Austria). Milder over Western Europe but with winds from the continent, temps cool and settled over the UK.

    [attachment=127267:14 Jan Current.JPG]

    Little change by Sunday and Monday, however the pattern over Europe has pushed a bit further east, still very cold over much of Eastern Europe, but milder SW winds starting to push east over Western Scandinavia. Remaining mild over most of Western Europe, cool and settled over the UK with surface winds from the continent.
    [attachment=127261:14 Jan +24.JPG] [attachment=127262:14 Jan +48.JPG]

    By Tuesday, low pressure (with low heights) over much of the Northern Atlantic including Greenland and Svalbard. High Pressure now over most of Europe as the Azores High has merged with the High over the UK, This will start feeding in milder SW winds over the UK and Western Scandinavia. Remaining cold over much of Eastern Europe.

    [attachment=127263:14 Jan +72.JPG]

    The Azores High pushes further NE by Wednesday and still feeding in mild SW winds over the UK and much of Western Europe. Still the Russian High keeping it very cold here, in between pressure around 1020mb, remaining cold over Eastern Europe, but slightly milder further west, now including the Alps. Upstream some cold air starting to be pushed down into the Mid Atlantic.

    [attachment=127264:14 Jan +96.JPG]

    By Thursday, High Pressure again for the Southern Atlantic, it should turn a bit milder over Central Europe, as the previous mild air over Western Europe gets pushed a bit further east, but remaining cold over much of Eastern Europe. starting to turn cooler over the UK with a brief NW flow, and turning colder as well with low pressure bringing westerly winds over Scandinavia
    [attachment=127265:14 Jan +120.JPG]

    By Friday, there should be High Pressure to the south of the UK. GFS gives a mild flat pattern with mild air, for NW Europe including the UK and Southern Scandinavia. Cool over much of Central Europe, remaining cold over NE Europe It should also stay mild over the UK for the weekend under this pattern.

    [attachment=127266:14 Jan +144.JPG]

    ECM and most of the other models to an extent go for more of a NW flow, with a ridge over the Atlantic, up to Greenland, giving cool or cold winds over the UK, and turning it cold and unsettled over the UK for the weekend, however it should be a mild start for much of Europe on the Friday, but turning much colder over the weekend.

    [b]Alps Detail[/b]

    [b]Freezing Levels (noon)[/b]
    [b]Sat 14 Jan - [/b]600m to 800m (generally), 1200m to 1600m (SW Switzerland / W Italy)
    [b]Sun 15 Jan - [/b]0 to 400m (E Austria), 600m to 1000m (Generally), 1000m to 1600m (SW Switzerland / W Italy)
    [b]Mon 16 Jan - [/b]0 to 400m (E Austria), 600m to 1000m (Generally), 1200m to 1400m (West)
    [b]Tue 17 Jan - [/b]600m to 1000m (Generally), 1000m-1600m (South and West)
    [b]Wed 18 Jan - [/b]400 to 800m (E Austria), 1000m to 1600m (Generally), 1800m (SW Switzerland / W Italy)
    [b]Thur 19 Jan - [/b]1200m to 1600m (East), 1800m to 2200m (West)
    [b]Fri 20 Jan -[/b] 600m to 1000m (North and East), 1200m to 1600m (Generally), 1800m to 2200m (SW Switzerland / W Italy)

    [b]Freezing Levels (6am)[/b]
    [b]Sun 15 Jan - [/b]0m to 400m (Generally)
    [b]Mon 16 Jan - [/b]0m to 400m (Generally)
    [b]Tue 17 Jan - [/b]0m to 400m (Generally)
    [b]Wed 18 Jan - [/b]0m to 400m (Generally), pockets higher
    [b]Thur 19 Jan -[/b] 0m to 400m (Austria), around 600m generally, pockets higher
    [b]Fri 20 Jan[/b] - 0m to 400m (North), around 600m generally, pockets higher

    [b]850 Hpa Temps (noon)[/b]
    [b]Sat 14 Jan - [/b]0 to +2 in South West, -1 to -5c Central, -7 to -8c in North and East,
    [b]Sun 15 Jan - [/b]0 to -2 in South West, -2 to -6c Central -7 to -11c in North and East
    [b]Mon 16 Jan - [/b]0 to -2 in South West, -2 to -6c Central, -6 to -8c in East
    [b]Tue 17 Jan -[/b] 0 to -2 West, -2 to -6c in East
    [b]Wed 18 Jan - [/b]0 to +2 West, -1 to -3c in East
    [b]Thur 19 Jan -[/b] 0 to +4c Generally
    [b]Fri 20 Jan[/b] - 0 to +3c in South West, -4 to -6c in North East

    [b]Sat 14 / Sun 15 Jan[/b]
    Mostly dry and settled over the Alps but moderate snowfall over Central Austria during Saturday morning and afternoon. Sunday looks mostly dry apart from light snowfall over Central Austria again, very cold generally over Austria
    [attachment=127292:14 Jan +24 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Mon 16 Jan[/b]
    Dry and settled with plenty of sunshine, very cold again for Austria.
    [attachment=127291:14 Jan +48 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Tue 17 Jan[/b]
    Mostly Dry and settled again, with plenty of sunshine, however patchy snow at times for Eastern Austria.
    [attachment=127290:14 Jan +72 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Wed 18 Jan[/b]
    Dry and settled with plenty of sunshine, not quite as cold generally.
    [attachment=127289:14 Jan +96 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Thurs 19 Jan[/b]
    Dry to start, perhaps more general precipitation edging in from the north during the day, with heavy bursts for much of Switzerland, Germany and Austria. Low confidence in this.
    [attachment=127288:14 Jan +120 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Fri 20 Jan[/b]
    Any overnight precipitation should fade away during the day, leaving another mostly dry day.
    [attachment=127287:14 Jan +144 Alps.JPG]

    View the latest snow forecasts and reports for resorts across the world here:
    http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=skicentre;sess=
  4. J10
    [b]Current Situation[/b]

    The past week has transformed the snow conditions over the Alps.

    [url="http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/skiresorts/lastsnowed.aspx"]http://www.skiclub.c...lastsnowed.aspx[/url] gives details of the heaviest new snow in the Alps.

    [b]Synoptic Charts[/b]

    [attachment=125331:17 Dec.JPG]

    Currently there is a surface High Pressure over Greenland, and a Azores High (1032mb), in between this there is a ridge of Hugh Pressure over the Atlantic to the west of the UK. This is feeding in very cold northerly winds over much of the western half of Europe including he UK and the Alps and Scandinavia.

    [attachment=125332:17 Dec +24.JPG]

    Slowly the ridge moves to the South East, as does the whole pattern, feeding in more of a NW flow over the UK, still cold, but the cold winds remaining over Western Europe.

    [attachment=125333:17 Dec +48.JPG]

    By Monday, the Greenland High has collapsed, and there is a more mobile pattern, winds more from the South West over most of Europe, but the cold air from the last cold of days still in place over Europe. (including the Alps). Turning milder over the UK, with SW winds to start, veering North Westerly later,

    [attachment=125334:17 Dec +72.JPG]

    The Azores start to become more a dominant feature thereafter, moving steadily eastward, to be centred around Northern Spain and feeding in milder Westerly or South Westerly winds over the UK, this milder air extending into the Alps for Wednesday into Thursday. Remaining colder over Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, but milder air encroaching here later.

    [attachment=125335:17 Dec +96.JPG]
    [attachment=125336:17 Dec +120.JPG]

    By Friday, the Azores High may retreat again allowing cooler Polar Maritime winds over the UK from the North West, perhaps this cooler air than pushing into the Alps for the Christmas weekend, but this is still a long way off.

    [attachment=125337:17 Dec +144.JPG]

    [b]Snow Detail[/b]

    [b]850HPA (noon) - [/b]
    [b]Sat 17 -[/b] -3 to -5c generally
    [b]Sun 18 - [/b]-4 to -7c generally
    [b]Mon 19 -[/b] -3 to -7c generally, coldest towards North East
    [b]Tue 20 - [/b]-1 to -6c generally, coldest towards South East Austria
    [b]Wed 21-[/b] -1 to +2 Western Alps, -4 to -5c E Austria
    [b]Thu 22 -[/b] +1 to +2 Western Alps, +2 to +4 Central Alps, 0 to -4c Austria
    [b]Fri 23 - [/b]+2 to +4c generally, milder further south into Italy

    [b]Freezing Levels (noon) - [/b]
    [b]Sat 17 -[/b] 700m to 1000m generally, 1000m-1300m Italy
    [b]Sun 18 - [/b]700m to 900m generally, colder in pockets
    [b]Mon 19 -[/b] 300m to 600m Northern half of Switzerland and Austria, 700-900m elsewhere
    [b]Tue 20 - [/b]600m to 1000m generally, colder Eastern Austria, 1200-1400m E Switzerland and W Austria border
    [b]Wed 21-[/b] 800m to 1000m Austria and Germany, 1000m-1600m further west, rising rapidly from west later to over 2000m
    [b]Thu 22 -[/b] E Austria below 900m, generally 1800-2200m, pockets over 3000m Italian border and French Alps
    [b]Fri 23 - [/b]1600m-1800m Northern alps,rising steadily further south to 2600m -2800m

    [b]Freezing Levels (6am) - [/b]
    [b]Sun 18 - [/b]0m to 300m generally
    [b]Mon 19 -[/b] 0m to 200m generally
    [b]Tue 20 - [/b]600m to 800m French Alps and W Switzerland, 0 to 300m elsewhere
    [b]Wed 21-[/b] 600m to 1000m generally
    [b]Thu 22 -[/b] E Austria below 600m, generally 1400-1600m, pockets over 3000m parts of Italy
    [b]Fri 23 - [/b]Mild generally but with huge variation

    [b]Sat 17[/b] - Moderate snowfall seems likely for the French Alps, much of Switzerland and Western Austria. this becoming confined to Western areas later.

    [attachment=125338:17 Dec.PNG]

    [b]Sun 18 - [/b]After a bitterly cold start, a west east split, outbreaks of snow fro the French Alps, Western Switzerland and running into Southern Germany.

    [attachment=125339:17 Dec +24.PNG]

    [b]Mon 19 - [/b]Another bitterly cold start, further patchy snow is expected in western and central parts of the Alps, remaining drier to the South and East

    [attachment=125340:17 Dec +48.PNG]

    [b]Tue 20 - [/b]Dry to start in the East, but a front should push into the west early with heavy snow down to around 1000m, this extending through the day for the French Alps, Switzerland and Western Austria and Germany. At times the freezing level will rise, but most precipitation will fall above snow at resort level or higher .

    [attachment=125341:17 Dec +72.PNG]

    [b]Wed 21 - [/b]Further heavy precipitation overnight and especially into Wednesday. It is expected to effect The French Alps, Switzerland, and Western Austria, and neighbouring areas of Germany and Italy. The heaviest precipitation in Switzerland throughout, Snow level to start around 1000m, rising steadily to 2000m in Western Switzerland and France, but remaining at 1000m in Austria.

    [attachment=125342:17 Dec +96.PNG]

    [b]Thu 22[/b] - The precipitation is set to move into Austria for Thursday and turn drier elsewhere.
    [attachment=125343:17 Dec +120.PNG]
    [attachment=125344:17 Dec +144.PNG]

    [b]Summary[/b]

    Very cold to start with further snow likely, especially in western areas, turning milder for a time towards the end of the next week, but big doubts remain as to the Christmas weather.
  5. J10
    [b]Summary[/b]

    [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Further fresh snowfall means that there are great conditions across the Alps at the moment, and the persistent cold weather over the past few months has meant some impressive snow depths on most slopes.

    There are signs of some milder weather over the next few week or so, which will be discussed in more detail below.[/font][/size]

    [b]Synoptic Summary[/b]

    [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Currently quite mild over most of Western Continental Europe with Westerly winds, the Siberian High still keeping it cold for the far east of Europe and NE Scandinavia, turning briefly colder over the UK with North Westerly winds bringing a Polar Maritime airflow. [attachment=131557:18 Feb Current.JPG]

    Staying cold over the UK Sunday, and the NW winds pushing deeper into Europe, bringing colder conditions over most of Western and Central Europe.

    A South Westerly flow becoming established over the UK and Western Europe for the start of next week[/font][/size], [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]bringing much milder conditions to much of Western Europe[/font][/size]
    [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][attachment=131555:18 Feb + 48.JPG][/font][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]This slowly introducing milder conditions further east over Europe as the week progresses including the Alps for Thursday and Friday.
    [attachment=131556:18 Feb + 96.JPG] [attachment=131554:18 Feb +144.JPG][/font][/size]

    [size=3][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][b]Alps Detail[/b][/font]

    [b]Freezing Levels (noon)[/b][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][b]Sun 19 Feb[/b][b] - [/b]600-1000m Germany, NW Switzerland, 1000-1400m elsewhere
    [b]Mon 20 Feb[/b] [b][b]- [/b][/b]400-700m generally, 900m-1200m France/Italy border and S Switzerland, SW Austria
    [b]Tue 21 Feb[/b][b][b] -[/b][/b] 400m-700m generally, 1000m-1600m France/Italy border, Central and S Switzerland, W Austria
    [b]Wed 22 Feb - [/b]800m-1000m NE Austria, 1000-1600m most Central areas, 1800-2000m SW Alps
    [b]Thu 23 Feb[/b][b][b] - [/b][/b]2000-2200m generally, 2200-2600m SW Alps
    [b]Fri 24 Feb[/b][b][b] - [/b][/b]2800-3000m generally[/font][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][b]Freezing Levels (6am)[/b]
    [b]Sun 19 Feb - [/b]0m-800m East, 800m-1200m Elsewhere
    [b]Mon 20 Feb - [/b]0m-400m Generally
    [b]Tue 21 Feb[/b][b][b] -[/b][/b] 0m-400m Generally
    [b]Wed 22 Feb - [/b]0m-400m Generally, pockets far higher towards the south
    [b]Thu 23 Feb[/b][b][b] - [/b][/b]variable acorss the alps
    [b]Fri 24 Feb[/b][b][b] -[/b][/b] Generally over 2000m in the Alpine region, but down to mountain level in many areas

    [b]850 Hpa Temps (noon)[/b]
    [b]Sun 19 Feb - [/b]-5 to -6c Germany, NW Switzerland, -2 to 0c elsewhere
    [b]Mon 20 Feb[/b]-5 to -9c North and East generally, -3 to -5c elsewhere
    [b]Tue 21 Feb -[/b] -5 to -6c East, -1 to -3c generally
    [b]Wed 22 Feb - [/b]0 to +3c South, -1 to -2c East
    [b]Thu 23 Feb - [/b]0 to +3c South, -1 to -2c East
    [b]Thu 23 Feb- [/b]+3 to +5c generally
    [b]Fri 24 Feb[/b] - +4 to +8c generally [/font][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][b]Alps Daily Summaries[/b][/font][/size]
    [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][b]Sun 19 Feb - [/b]Dry to start in the South East, but a cold front edges in from the North West bringing moderate snow above around 600m to the French Alps, Switzerland , Southern Germany and NW Austria by noon, this pushing SE by evening into Austria and Italy, turning drier further north and west.
    [attachment=131536:18 Feb + 24 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Mon 20 Feb - [/b]Mostly dry to the north but patchy snow remaining for parts of Austria and Italy during the day, turning drier later.
    [attachment=131537:18 Feb + 48 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Tue 21 Feb and Wed 22 Feb -[/b] Dry days, very cold overnight, a bit milder than recently during the day.
    [attachment=131538:18 Feb + 72 Alps.JPG] [attachment=131551:18 Feb + 96 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Thu 23 Feb[/b] - A dry start, but patchy rain (SL over 2000m) pushing in later for Germany and Northern Austria.
    [attachment=131549:18 Feb +120 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Fri 24 Feb[/b] - A dry start, but patchy rain (SL over 2400m) pushing in later for Germany .
    [attachment=131550:18 Feb +144 Alps.JPG][/font][/size]
  6. J10
    [b]Current Situation [/b]

    There is High pressure centered (1028mb) over SE Europe, with pressure over 1020mb for most of mainland Europe. winds over western Europe are coming from a mild SW direction for much of the Alps and for Western parts of Europe including Southern Scandinavia. Colder air is restricted to the far north of Scandinavia where this a northerly flow and for Russia. The mild weather looks well set for much of mainland Europe, however Scandinavia is set to see a change, and this will be discussed in more detail below.

    [attachment=123542:Current 18th Nov 500HPa.png]

    [b]Synoptic Progression[/b]

    For most of Europe very little change over the next 24 hours, High pressure remains centred (1028mb) over SE Europe, winds remain from a mild S/SE direction. Fronts should remain to the west of the UK, although some rain cannot be ruled out in N and W areas. It should also be mostly dry over the Alps. Sunday sees almost an identical situation, a flabby High pressure covering most of Europe centred over SE parts (1026mb), this giving mostly dry and settled conditions over the UK and the Alps. The colder weather initially over Northern Scandinavia edging further south and then east over the weekend.

    [attachment=123534:18 Nov +24.png] [attachment=123535:18 Nov +48.png]

    By Monday, the whole situation moves East, the High Pressure centre moves away into Asia, with Atlantic fronts finally making headway over the UK, the Alps should see lower pressure but ti should remain mostly dry. Winds for much of Europe of a southerly orientation so remaining mild. Tuesday sees a big area of High pressure build over Scandinavia, bringing mild weather with southerly winds on its western flank, but northerlies on its eastern flank so bitter air over Eastern Scandinavia and especially Russia. Further south over Europe very much in between weather patterns but remaining mild with winds from the West or South.

    [attachment=123536:18 Nov +72.png] [attachment=123537:18 Nov +96.png]

    Wednesday sees the High pressure (1036mb) edge further east to be centred over Western Russia, so mild over Scandinavia but increasing bitter over Russia. Polar Maritime air starting to edge in the far NW parts of the UK, as a cold air pushes SE, but generally mild with ridging High pressure from the SW, with winds from deep to the SW for the rest of the UK and Northern Europe. The Alps and Southern Europe seeing Easterly winds on the northerly flank of Low Pressure centred over Northern Italy.

    By Thursday, there is High Pressure over much of Central Europe, so mostly settled over the Alps, and remaining mild. Very unsettled for the UK and Scandinavia with some heavy rain, mild to start, over the UK but turning colder after the cold front passes through. Remaining very cold in the far east of Europe including Russia.

    For Friday, the colder Polar Maritime air edging SE into Central Europe and the Alps, this gives the potential of snowfalls to quite low levels over the Alps for the first time in a while.

    [attachment=123538:18 Nov +120.png] [attachment=123533:18 Nov +144.png] [attachment=123539:18 Nov +168.png][attachment=123542:Current 18th Nov 500HPa.png]

    [b]Alps Detail[/b]

    Saturday 18th Nov - Overall FL (am) down to 300-1000m, coldest in Eastern and NE Austria, Germany and Northern Switzerland, around 1200 for much of Switzerland and Western Austria.

    FL rising to 2200-2500m for France and most of Switzerland, 2700-2900m in SE Austria. 850Hpa ranging from +3-8c generally. Mostly Dry perhaps a little precipitation in the far west during the evening.

    [attachment=123543:18 Nov +24.JPG]

    Sunday 19th Nov - Overall FL (am) down to 500-1000m in Eastern and NE Austria, milder elsewhere around 1200m, and around 2000m in the Tyrol.

    FL rising to 2200-2600m generally. 850Hpa ranging from +3-8c generally. After early morning precipitation moves away from the west, Dry throughout day and night.

    [attachment=123544:18 Nov +48.JPG]

    Monday 20th Nov - Overall FL (am) down to 300-1000m, coldest in Eastern Austria, milder elsewhere around 1200m, and around 2000m in the Tyrol and into Eastern Switzerland.

    FL rising to 2200-2600m generally. 850Hpa ranging from +4-8c generally, but closer to 1-2c on the Italy border with Austria and Switzerland, Dry throughout day and night.

    [attachment=123545:18 Nov +72.JPG]

    Tuesday 21st Nov - Overall FL (am) down to 300-1000m, coldest in Eastern Austria, milder elsewhere around 1200m, and around 2000m in the Tyrol and into Eastern Switzerland.

    FL rising to 2200-2600m generally. 850Hpa ranging from +3-8c generally.

    [attachment=123546:18 Nov +96.JPG]

    Wednesday 22th Nov - Nighttime FL similar to previous nights, rising to around 2000-2400m, 850Hpa around 4-6c in Central areas, 2-4c elsewhere. The low pressure to the south will give some showers, from the early morning for Southern Switzerland, E France and Italy only dying out slowly during the day.

    [attachment=123547:18 Nov +120.JPG]

    Thursday 23rd Nov - Nighttime FL 300-600m in parts of Austria closer to 1500m over SW Switzerland, rising to 2400m over France, 1600-1800m over Austria and mostly dry. 850Hpa around 4-6c in Central areas, 2-4c elsewhere. The low pressure to the south will give some showers, from the early morning for Southern Switzerland, E France and Italy only dying out slowly during the day.


    [attachment=123548:18 Nov +144.JPG]

    Friday 24th Nov - Nighttime Fl 1500-2000m over Western areas, 300-600 over E Austria. A cold front will bring some precipitation to the NW Alps and will spread to Central areas by evening. FL 1200-1400m to the NW of the front, 1600-2100m ahead of it. However by evening, snow levels down to around 500-800m with moderate falls in places.

    [attachment=123549:18 Nov +168.JPG]

    [b]Summary[/b]

    Mostly settled and mild to start, but the chance of some much needed snow just before next weekend.
  7. J10
    [b]Summary[/b]

    Conditions continue to be very good acorss the Alps after a lot of snow this winter, despite rather mixed weather over the past few days.
    [url="http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=skicentre;sess="]http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=skicentre;sess=[/url]

    Further snowfall is also likely in many places for the next few days, before things shouled settled down agin around midweek, and it slowly turning midler from the west.

    [url="http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/news/story.aspx?storyID=8473"]http://www.skiclub.c...px?storyID=8473[/url] <- Further Snow expected across the Alps

    [url="http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/snowreports/default.aspx"]http://www.skiclub.c...ts/default.aspx[/url]

    [b]Synoptic Pattern[/b]

    Currently the main players in the synoptic pattern is the Azores High which as so often this winter is displaced further north and east than normal (1035-1040mb), centered to the west of Northern Spain, but influencing conditions far further north including the UK with a WNW flow of winds. The Russian high remains in play around 1050mb. There is low Pressure from the south of Greenland, through Iceland and into Eastern Europe. The Polar Vortex is situated further west than has been the case so far this winter, allowing slightly higher pressure in the Greenland area.
    [attachment=127768:20 Jan Current.JPG]

    Not much synoptic change by tomorrow, pressure though slightly building over Greenland to 1035mb, a NW flow over the UK bringing cool conditions to most areas, quite mild over most of NW Europe including the Alps, generally colder in Eastern areas and over Scandinavia .
    [attachment=127755:20 Jan +24.JPG]

    Low Pressure again for Scandinavia and N and Eastern Europe, the UK on the dividing line with the more settled and milder conditions for the South West, colder for the NE you go in the UK, which largely is the same dividing line as is the case across Europe .
    [attachment=127757:20 Jan +48.JPG]

    Monday sees the pattern move slightly further East, the Azores High ridging NE and starting to make things more settled again for the UK, but again with low pressure for much of Scandinavia and North Eastern Europe, and cool or cold here. Cool for the UK and NW Europe, rather mild over much of Southern Europe.
    [attachment=127759:20 Jan +72.JPG]

    High Pressure over Russia starting to influence conditions more over Northern Scandinavia and looking cold here. High Pressure (0130mb0 remaining over Greenland, and the Azores high feeding in milder SW winds over the UK ahead of a Low Pressure in the Atlantic looking to push over the UK. Mild again over Southern Europe, but cold over much of Central and Northern Europe including much of the Alps.

    [attachment=127761:20 Jan +96.JPG]

    The low pressure slowly moves east by Wednesday with the High Pressure to the NE starting to act as a blocking high. Remaining mild and unsettled over the NW and North Western Europe, remaining rather cold over much of Eastern Europe, with the east of the Alps, much colder than the western half.

    [attachment=127763:20 Jan +120.JPG]

    Quite a lot of uncertainty towards the weekend, with the low pressure attempting to push east, and High Pressure (Siberian High) attempting to push in from the North East. So looking cold and settled for much of Central and Eastern Europe, cool to mild over Western Europe.
    [attachment=127765:20 Jan +144.JPG] [attachment=127767:20 Jan +168.JPG]

    [b]Alps Detail[/b]

    [b]Freezing Levels (noon)[/b]
    [b]Sat 21 Jan - [/b][b]1800m to 2100m [/b](West), 600m to 900m (E Austria)
    [b]Sun 22 Jan - [/b]1800m to 2400m (Italy), 1200 to 1800m (Austria/Switzerland), 900m to 1200m (NE Austria)
    [b]Mon 23 Jan - [/b]1800m to 2100m (Italy), 1200 to 1500m (Austria/Switzerland), 600m to 900m (NE Austria)
    [b]Tue 24 Jan - [/b]600m to 1000m (Generally), 1200m-1600m (South and West)
    [b]Wed 25 Jan - [/b][b]1800m to 2100m [/b](West), 1000m to 1800m (E Switz and W Aust), 400m to 600m (E Austria)
    [b]Thur 26 Jan - [/b][b]1200m to 1800m [/b](Generally), 600m to 800m (far E Austria)
    [b]Fri 27 Jan -[/b] [b]1200m to 1800m [/b](Generally), 300m to 800m (far E Austria)

    [b]Freezing Levels (6am)[/b]
    [b]Sat 21 Jan - [/b]600m to 1200m (West), 0m to 400m (East)
    [b]Sun 22 Jan - [/b]1800m to 2400m (Italy), 1200 to 1800m (Austria/Switzerland), 600m to 900m (NE Austria + Germany)
    [b]Mon 23 Jan - [/b]0m to 600m (Generally), Milder Italy
    [b]Tue 24 Jan - [/b]0m to 600m (Generally), 1200-1500m (Italy)
    [b]Wed 25 Jan - [/b]0m to 800m (Generally), pockets higher in Italy
    [b]Thur 26 Jan -[/b] 0m to 800m (Generally), pockets higher
    [b]Fri 27 Jan[/b] - 0m to 400m (North+East), 600m to 1000m elsewhere

    [b]850 Hpa Temps (noon)[/b]
    [b]Sat 21 Jan - [/b]+2c to +4c in South West, -4c to -5c in North and East,
    [b]Sun 22 Jan - [/b]+4c to +6c in South West, -3c to -5c in North and East
    [b]Mon 23 Jan - [/b]+1c to +3c in South West, -4c to -5c in North and East
    [b]Tue 24 Jan -[/b] +1c to +2c in South West, -5c to -6c in North and East
    [b]Wed 25 Jan - [/b]+2c to +3c West, -6c to -7c in East
    [b]Thur 26 Jan -[/b] -3c to +2c West, -4c to -5c in East
    [b]Fri 27 Jan[/b] - variable

    Note in above charts South West, largely refers to W Italy.

    [b]Sat 21 Jan[/b]
    Heavy precipitation currently falling over western areas of the Alps will continue into Saturday and will be heavy over the Portes Du Soleil, Switzerland, with some precipitation also for NW Italy, W Austria and SW Germany, Snow Level generally around but closer to 600m in heavier bursts. Drier further east. By afternoon the precipitation edging further north for Switzerland, S Germany and W Austria, with the Snow level rising sharply to 1900m in the west, 1300m in Austria. The afternoon and evening seeing the precipitation continues but the heaviest of the precipitation edging across into Central Austria, SL 1100m in Austria, 1300-1600m further west.
    [attachment=127754:20 Jan +24 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Sunday[/b] sees Patchy precipitation continuing overnight, moderate in central Austria, Snow levels back to around 700-1000m (north to south) with cooler conditions returning. The afternoon will generally be drier but with light precipitation continuing in Central Austria, and for Southern Germany into the evening.
    [attachment=127756:20 Jan +48 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Monday[/b] sees a north south split, it should be dry in the south, but patchy to moderate precipitation can be expected from the small hours right through to the afternoon for northern parts of the Alps. SL around 600-800m.
    [attachment=127758:20 Jan +72 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Tuesday [/b]sees patchy to moderate snow from the early hours for South Germany and NW Austria, becoming more extensive across Switzerland, Southern Germany and Western Austria by noon, before becoming rather confined to Central Austria by evening, largely falling as snow down to resort level.
    [attachment=127760:20 Jan +96 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Wednesday [/b]should be a drier day over the Alps. with a east west split, always colder in the East.
    [attachment=127762:20 Jan +120 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Thursday[/b] should also be a dry day over the Alps. slightly milder generally across the Alps.
    [attachment=127764:20 Jan +144 Alps.JPG]

    Low certainty this far out for [b]Friday[/b], but a chance of a front pushing in from the west bringing heavy precipitation for France into Italy, snow to around 1000m.
    [attachment=127766:20 Jan +168 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Summary[/b]

    There could be another week of moderate snowfalls over the Alps, especially over higher slopes, but possibly turning drier and a bit milder midweek.

    Latest forecasts and snow reports:
    [url="http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=skicentre;sess="]http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=skicentre;sess=[/url]
  8. J10
    [b]Latest Conditions [/b]

    At the start of the season there were fears about a lack of snow for the Alps, but conditions have been transformed with some areas seeing the best skiing in recent years along with the heaviest sustained snowfall also.

    As ever visit, the Ski Club of GB website for latest details.

    [url="http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/snowreports/default.aspx"]http://www.skiclub.c...ts/default.aspx[/url]
    [url="http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/news/story.aspx?storyID=8431"]http://www.skiclub.c...px?storyID=8431[/url]

    Some fantastic skiing conditions can be expected over the next week, with glorious blue skies and mild temperatures, although it may turn a little slushy at times during the afternoon midweek.

    [b]Synoptic and Progression[/b]

    The synoptic pattern which gave the snow is in the process of being replaced by a milder "Bartlett High" style pattern, this new pattern is set to say around for most of the coming week, but there will be day to day differences.

    So if we start off by looking at today's pattern, There is low pressure covering the North Atlantic all the way from USA and Canada right through to Scandinavia, with in particular a deep area of LP centered to the west of Norway (976mb). High Pressure generally further south and for Eastern Europe, with the Azores High (1036mb), on the North Eastern flank of the ridging High, there are North Westerly winds for the UK with a brief shot of cooler air, as a cold front pushes South East.

    Tuning cool over the UK, mild over much of mainland Western Europe including the Alps and most of Scandinavia, remaining cold over Eastern Europe.

    [attachment=125666:Current 23rd Dec.PNG]

    Saturday sees the Azores High (1036mb) extending North East over the UK and into NW Europe and more into a Bartlett High, so conditions turning more settled and milder here, with a Tropical Maritime flow from the South Atlantic, after a cool start. Away from Remaining cool over the Alps, milder for Central Europe and Southern Scandinavia. However colder and unsettled over Northern Scandinavia, remaining quite cold with high Pressure for Russia and the far East of Europe. .

    [attachment=125653:23 Dec +24.PNG]

    The High Pressure pushes further North East, with SW winds extending as far North East as Lithuania, so turning increasingly mild over NW Europe, cool over Northern Europe and much of Scandinavia (including the Alps). Cooler over SE Europe, with NE winds on the SE flank of the High Pressure.
    [attachment=125655:23 Dec +48.PNG]

    Monday sees the High Pressure (1040mb) continues to push further East to be centered over SE Europe, the mild advance continues, for the UK, mild for most of Northern and Western Mainland Europe (including the UK and the Alps), remaining cool in the far SE, further north, it should start to turn cold with westerly winds edging into Scandinavia and the far north of Scotland.
    [attachment=125657:23 Dec +72.PNG]

    High Pressure (1040mb) centered over Europe and mild or very mild and settled for most of Europe. Milder further north for the far north of Scotland and turning much colder over most of Scandinavia.

    [attachment=125659:23 Dec +96.PNG]

    Not much change on Wednesday, but low pressure over the UK, and turning colder for central and northern UK with a brief NW blast. remaining mild or very mild and settled over most of Europe, cold and Unsettled for Northern Scandinavia.

    [attachment=125661:23 Dec +120.PNG]

    High Pressure building over the UK (1040mb) on Thursday and on the eastern flank of the High, turning very cold with Northerly or North Westerly winds into much of Central and Eastern Europe including the Alps, remaining very cold over Scandinavia, remaining mild in the far south of Europe. Friday suggests the whole pattern pushing further east.

    [attachment=125663:23 Dec +144.PNG] [attachment=125665:23 Dec +168.PNG]

    [b]Alps Detail[/b]

    [b]850HPA (noon) - [/b]
    [b]Sat 24 -[/b] -5 to +1c mildest in south East, Coldest North West
    [b]Sun 25 - [/b]-6 to 0c coldest over Austria, mildest further West
    [b]Mon 26 -[/b] 0 to +5c coldest over Austria, mildest further West
    [b]Tue 27 - [/b]+4 to +6c generally
    [b]Wed 28-[/b] +3 to +6c generally
    [b]Thu 29 -[/b] -6 to +3c, coldest Germany, Mildest Italy
    [b]Fri 30 - [/b]-7 to -1c coldest Austria, Mildest South East

    [b]Freezing Levels (noon) - [/b]
    [b]Sat 24 -[/b] 800m to 1000m north West, 1600-1800m Southern Austria and Italy
    [b]Sun 25 - [/b]800m to 1000m Generally, 1200-1600m Switzerland Italy border
    [b]Mon 26 -[/b] 1500m to 1800m Austria, 1800-2400m E Switzerland to W Austria, over 3000m Far west
    [b]Tue 27 - [/b]2700 to 3000m Generally
    [b]Wed 28-[/b] 3000m Generally
    [b]Thu 29 -[/b] 600 to 800m North, 1800-2200m Italy
    [b]Fri 30 - [/b]400 to 800m North, 1200-1800 S Switzerland into Italy

    [b]Freezing Levels (6am) - [/b]

    [b]Sat 24 -[/b] 300m to 600m Austria, 1000 to 1200m Germany to Switzerland, big variation in Italy
    [b]Sun 25 - [/b]0m to 500m generally
    [b]Mon 26 -[/b] 0m to 500m generally NW, milder in parts of Italy
    [b]Tue 27 and [/b][b]Wed 28-[/b] Huge variations, 0m in places, over 2000m elsewhere
    [b]Thu 29 -[/b] 0m to 500m generally NW, milder in parts of Italy
    [b]Fri 30 - [/b]0m to 400m Generally

    [b]Sat 24 Dec - [/b]Snow (down to around 1000M) pushing into the far NW of the Alps by morning, spreading east by afternoon, to cover the French Alps, Southern Germany, Northern Italy, Switzerland and western Austria, with the heaviest precipitation on the Austria/Switzerland border, Snow Levels around 800m (North) to 1200m (South). Snow continuing during the evening before becoming confined to Austria and drying out overnight.

    [attachment=125652:23 Dec +24 Alps.PNG]

    [b]Sun 25 Dec - [/b]After a bitterly cold night, Mostly Sunny and Dry, turning milder from the west, but great skiing conditions

    [attachment=125654:23 Dec +48 Alps.PNG]

    [b]Mon 26 Dec - [/b]Apart from some light precipitation in Eastern Austria (snow above 1000m), another dry and sunny day, Freeze thaw conditions, very cold to start, much milder from the west during the day. Best skiing during the morning,

    [attachment=125656:23 Dec +72 Alps.PNG]

    [b]Tue 27 Dec and Wed 28 Dec -[/b] Dry and Sunny, cold Overnight, Very mild Daytime Best skiing during the morning,

    [attachment=125658:23 Dec +96 Alps.PNG] [attachment=125660:23 Dec +120 Alps.PNG]

    [b]Thu 29 Dec - [/b]Colder from north, some light snow into Southern Germany and then Eastern Switzerland and Western Austria, before dying out afternoon.
    [attachment=125662:23 Dec +144 Alps.PNG]

    [b]Fri 30 Dec -[/b] Mostly dry and bright, some snow into Austria during afternoon
    [attachment=125664:23 Dec +168 Alps.PNG]
  9. J10
    [size=3][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][b]Introduction[/b]

    Very much a NW SE split for the weather pattern for the Atlantic and Europe on current charts. General low pressure covering Greenland and all the way across to Scandinavia, with deep low pressure off the east co[/font][/size][size=3][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]ast of Iceland. Low Pressure for the north of the UK and westwards. However a big block of High pressure covering Russia, Eastern Scandinavia, all of mainland Europe, southern UK and right down to the Azores. Largely mild over most of Europe bar Russia, Northern Scandinavia, Iceland and briefly Northern parts of the UK.[/font][/size]

    [size=3]Last week you may recall, that I mentioned the possibility of cold weather around now unfortunately the colder weather did not make it far enough south. It is also worth remembering that towards the end of a 7 day forecast, the accuracy levels do tend to fall as time goes on. [/size]
    [size=2][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][attachment=123769:Current 25th Nov 850HPa.png][/font][/size]


    [size=3][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][b]Synoptic Progression [/b]

    The low pressure continuing to dominate over NW Europe, again covering Greenland to Scandinavia but starting to lower pressure over the UK, especially the Northern Half, and also over much of Scandinavia. High Pressure (1032mb) remains bang on top of Central Europe.
    Generally mild in western areas with SW winds with a Bartlettesque pattern, cooler the further East you go,

    [attachment=123768:25 Nov +24.png]

    For Sunday, little change in the overall pattern, The low pressure continuing to dominate over NW Europe, again covering Greenland to Scandinavia, and with NW winds into Northern Scandinavia turning much colder here. A ridge of high pressure from the SW bringing a short draw NW to the UK briefly turning it cooler/colder here. High Pressure over much of mainland Europe (1028mb) , staying mostly mild and settled.

    [attachment=123767:25 Nov +48.png]

    Monday sees low pressure into Scandinavia and with NW winds remaining cold. Low Pressure centred over Iceland, but with high Pressure generally over Europe, with 1028mb Germany/ Poland. Winds again revert to SW over the UK, returning milder Tropical Maritime air, but with high pressure. Milder over Western Europe and the Alps, cooler into Eastern Europe associated with NW winds.

    [attachment=123766:25 Nov +72.png]
    Low Pressure for the Atlantic, and starting to edge in Western UK, High Pressure over Europe (1032mb) has shifted east to be centred over Eastern Poland. So mild and settled for much of Western Europe including the UK and the Alps,. However on the Northern and Eastern side of the High Pressure, cold or very cold for N and E Scandinavia and into Russia.

    [attachment=123765:25 Nov +96.png]

    Wednesday sees the whole pattern edge eastwards, High Pressure (1036mb) centred around Ukraine. Low Pressure for the Atlantic and Northern Scandinavia, slack and cool (and showery) SW winds over the UK. On the western side of the High \pressure, for much on western Europe and into Scandinavia, mild or very mild and remaining mostly settled.

    [attachment=123764:25 Nov +120.png]

    Unsettled (992mb) over the UK and quite cool, also unsettled with NW winds over Northern Scandinavia. The core of the High Pressure has over into Russia, but much of Europe remaining settled and mild or very mild with SW winds. Slightly less settled over Western Europe with the chance of a few showers, this includes the Alps.

    [attachment=123763:25 Nov +144.png]

    Unsettled (992mb) over much of Western Europe including the Alps and the UK and generally quite mild. High pressure over much of Eastern Europe and Russia but mild. Cooler over Northern Russia and Scandinavia with West or North West winds.

    [attachment=123762:25 Nov +168.png]

    [b]Alpine Detail[/b]

    [CODE]
    850Hpa Summary (Noon) , Regional Detail
    Sat 26th Nov -2 to +7 +2 in NE Austria, +7 in SW Switzerland
    Sun 27th Nov +7 to +11 Highest in Austria, Switzerland border
    Mon 28th Nov -1 to +8 -1 in NE Austria, +8 in SW Switzerland
    Tues 29th Nov +1 to +8 -1 in SE Austria, +8 in Tyrol
    Wed 30th Nov 0 to +7 0 in SW Switzerland, +7 in Tyrol, Warmer South to North
    Thurs 1st Dec +2 to +7 +2 in SW Switzerland, +7 in Tyrol, Warmer South to North
    Fri 2nd Dec +3 to +6
    [/CODE]

    [CODE]
    0c Isotherm Summary (6am) , Regional Detail
    Sat 26th Nov 300m-2000m 300m in North and East, 2000m in South West, 600-1200m generally
    Sun 27th Nov 1000m-3000m Localised pockets due to cloud cover
    Mon 28th Nov 300m-2000m 300m in Northern Switzerland, 2000m in South West
    Tues 29th Nov 300m-2400m 300m in North generally, 2400m in central slice inc Tyrol
    Wed 30th Nov 300m-2400m 300m in North and East, 2400m centred around Tyrol and NW Austria
    Thurs 1st Dec 600m-2400m 600m-1500m generally, higher centred around Tyrol
    Fri 2nd Dec 1500m-2100m Generally
    [/CODE]

    [CODE]
    0c Isotherm Summary (Noon) , Regional Detail
    Sat 26th Nov 1200m-3000m 1200m in North East, 3000m South West
    Sun 27th Nov 3100m-3600m Highest to South West
    Mon 28th Nov 1400m-3000m 1400m in North East, 3000m France
    Tues 29th Nov 2400m-2800m Generally
    Wed 30th Nov 2000m-3000m 1600-2000m South West, 2600-3000m Austria
    Thurs 1st Dec 1600m-2600m 2000-2400m west, 2600m NE Austria
    Fri 2nd Dec 1800m-2700m 1800-2100m west, 2700m NE Austria
    [/CODE]

    [b]Sat 26th Nov[/b]
    Mostly dry and settled, High Pressure around 1030mb.
    [attachment=123770:25 Nov +24.PNG]

    [b]Sun 27th Nov[/b]
    Mostly dry and settled, High Pressure around 1024-1028mb.
    [attachment=123771:25 Nov +48.PNG]

    [b]Mon 28th Nov[/b]
    A little precipitation edging into Southern Germany from the north for the morning, Snow Level around 800m, thereafter mostly dry and settled, High Pressure around 1024-1028mb.
    [attachment=123772:25 Nov +72.PNG]

    [b]Tues 29th Nov[/b]
    Mostly dry and settled, High Pressure around 1020 (west) -1028mb (east)
    [attachment=123773:25 Nov +96.PNG]

    [b]Wed 30th Nov[/b]
    Mostly dry and settled, Pressure dropping from the west 1008mb (here) - 1020mb (E Austria)
    [attachment=123774:25 Nov +120.PNG]

    [b]Thurs 1st Dec[/b]
    From early hours, some moderate showers developing for SW Switzerland, Snow Level around 1200m. This precipitation developing more widely during the morning and into the afternoon for the Southern Alps, much of Western Italy and for Southern Switzerland, SL around 1400-1700m, some showers also possible for NW Switzerland, SL around 2200m. Precipitation continuing during the evening and spreading into more central areas of Italy, SL remaining mostly similar.
    [attachment=123775:25 Nov +144.PNG]

    [b]Fri 2nd Dec[/b]
    Precipitation continuing overnight into Friday morning however becoming restricted to Southern Switzerland, Western Italy and the Southern alps, Trois Valleys area of France, SL 1600m+.

    This continuing through the day and into the evening for the areas mentioned above, snow levels around 1800-2000m, this is 7 days away and as such detail is very uncertain, but 20cm of snow cannot be ruled out for higher slopes, probably highest on the French Italian border.
    [attachment=123776:25 Nov +168.PNG]

    [b]Outlook[/b]

    There is considerable disagreement between the GFS on which most of the above is based, and the ECM, from around T+120 onwards and into the longer term. ECM goes for the possibility of a decent polar Maritime outbreak from the NW from around next Friday onwards, clearly time will tell which is correct and I will update on this during the week.[/font][/size]
  10. J10
    [b]Summary[/b]

    Conditions continue to be very good or very good across the Alps after a lot of snow this winter, and things have generally settled down over recent days.


    Further snowfall is also likely in western areas over the next few days, however it is set to turn very cold over the Alps next week, initially in eastern areas, but spreading across all parts later. Some mountain resorts struggling to get above -10c by day, and falling below -25c by night.


    [b]Synoptic Pattern[/b]

    The Azores High has ridged slightly to the NE, and with a trough over the UK, there are cool NW winds and low pressure. Low Pressure also over Greenland and the North Atlantic, Generally High pressure over Europe, with a massive 1056mb High Pressure system centered over NW Russia.

    The scene has been set for a while now and the big question has been will this High pressure give Easterly winds and cold air over the UK.
    This is the answer from GFS 12Hz run on Friday 27th Jan.
    [attachment=128434:27 Jan Current.JPG]

    Saturday sees the Azores High start to ridge further NE and the "Russian High" moves ever further westwards, both towards the UK. Cool settled conditions over the UK, Very Cold over Scandinavia, cold over much of Europe.

    [attachment=128427:27 Jan +24.JPG]

    Remaining cold over much of Europe, with an easterly flow courtesy of the dominating High pressure, now centered over Eastern Scandinavia, turning cold over Eastern parts of the UK as a Easterly flow sets in, however rain tries to edge in from the west with milder conditions.
    [attachment=128428:27 Jan +48.JPG]

    By Monday, the GFS now suggests that the warm front to the west will stall and retreat back westwards, with the Azores High also pushing away to the SW, this (if it happens) would allow a cold easterly flow to push over the UK, already it is cold over most of Europe apart from the far south.
    [attachment=128429:27 Jan +72.JPG]

    The High pressure still very much in charge with E to SE winds over the UK, very cold over much of Europe, but cool upper air over the UK, rather than cold, as the very cold air source gets moderated. However bitterly cold air building up to the East.
    [attachment=128430:27 Jan +96.JPG]

    There is huge uncertainty at the moment as to the end of next week, but GFS current suggests that extremely cold air floods westwards across much of Europe and starting to feed over the UK, with sub -10c temps at 850HPa pushing in. But we know how quickly the models can change.

    [attachment=128431:27 Jan +120.JPG] [attachment=128432:27 Jan +144.JPG] [attachment=128433:27 Jan +168.JPG]

    In the above the Alps have not been mentioned in summary these is less doubt here it is likely to be cold or very cold with an easterly flow easily established.

    [b]Alps Detail[/b]

    [b]Freezing Levels (noon)[/b]
    [b]Sat 28 Jan - [/b]200m-500m (NE Austria), 600m-1000m generally, 1200m to 1400m (E Switzerland, SW Austria)
    [b]Sun 29 Jan - [/b]200m-600m quite widely, 1000m-1200m S Switzerland into W Austria
    [b][b]Mon 30 Jan - [/b][/b]200m-600m quite widely, 1000m-1200m French Alps, S Switzerland, into W Austria
    [b][b]Tue 31 Jan - [/b][/b]0m-600m quite widely, 700-900m French Alps, S Switzerland, into W Austria
    [b]Wed 1 Feb - [/b]0m-600m quite widely, 700-1100m locally French Alps, S Switzerland, into W Austria
    [b][b]Thur 2 Feb - [/b][/b]0m-200m quite widely, 500-700m locally French Alps, S Switzerland, into W Austria
    [b][b]Fri 3 Feb -[/b][/b] 0m-200m quite widely, 400-700m locally French Alps, S Switzerland, into W Austria

    [b]Freezing Levels (6am)[/b]
    [b]Sat 28 Jan - [/b]0m-200m (East), 400m-800m elsewhere
    [b][b]Sun 29 Jan - [/b][/b]0m-200m (North and East), 300m-700m elsewhere
    [b]Mon 30 Jan - [/b]0-200m generally, pockets up to 500m.
    [b]Tue 31 Jan - [/b]0-200m generally, pockets up to 500m.
    [b]Wed 1 Feb - [/b]0-100m
    [b][b]Thur 2 Feb - [/b][/b]0-100m
    [b][b]Fri 3 Feb -[/b][/b]Sea Level

    [b]850 Hpa Temps (noon)[/b]
    [b]Sat 28 Jan - [/b]-3 to -5c generally. -6 to -7c in E Austria
    [b]Sun 29 Jan - [/b]Some Central areas -1 to -3c, -4 to -5c generally, -8 to -9c in E Austria
    [b]Mon 30. Jan - [/b]Some Central areas -1 to -3c, -4 to -5c generally, -7 to -10c in E Austria
    [b]Tue 31 Jan -[/b] Some Central areas -2 to -4c, -5c generally, -10 to -13c in E Austria, -10c in W Italy
    [b]Wed 1 Feb - [/b]Some Central areas -3 to -5c, -7 to -8c generally, -10 to -13c in E Austria
    [b]Thur 2 Feb -[/b] Some Central areas -5 to -7c, -8 to -10c generally, -13 to -16c in E Austria
    [b]Fri 3 Feb[/b] -Some Central areas -5 to -7c, -8 to -11c generally, -13 to -18c in E Austria
    The central areas mentioned above tend to relate to a small area of the far SE of Switzerland and SW Austria

    [b]Sat 28 Jan[/b]
    Some moderate precipitation during the morning for much of Switzerland into W Italy and the French Alps and Western Italy. (SL 800m). HTi not moving that much and turning heavier later for the French Alps and Western Italy, turning a bit lighter for Austria (SL 800-1000m). It should be drier generally further east. However the precipitation continuing overnight especially heavy on the French Italian border. (SL 500m max)
    [attachment=128445:27 Jan + 24 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Sun 29 Jan[/b]
    Dry over the east of the Alps, some precipitation over S Switzerland, but the heaviest snow (to low levels) remaining over France and Italy. This should pretty much last all day, only slowing fading away by evening,
    [attachment=128444:27 Jan +48 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Mon 30 Jan[/b]
    Mostly dry and bright but a few showers outbreaks likely over western parts during the afternoon, Snow Level around 1000m.
    [attachment=128443:27 Jan +72 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Tue 31 Jan[/b]
    Mostly dry over the Alps, but heavy precipitation starting to edge form the SW for Italy later in the day.
    [attachment=128442:27 Jan +96 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Wed 1 Feb to Fri 3 Feb[/b]

    Turning extremely cold especially over Austria, there will be occasional snow flurries over these days, but detail this far out is very difficult to pinpoint exactly where.
    [attachment=128441:27 Jan +120 Alps.JPG] [attachment=128440:27 Jan +144 Alps.JPG] [attachment=128439:27 Jan +168 Alps.JPG]
  11. J10
    [b]Introduction [/b]

    It remains a very disappointing start to Winter for the Alps, with very little snow for the lower slopes, However the cold overnight temperatures have meant that snow cannons have been in operation, and a large number of resorts have been able to open. However the lack of snow has meant that the opening Ski races schedule for Val D'Isere have had to be moved to Beaver Creek in North America.

    More details on snow amounts and general conditions available on at the Ski Club of Great Britain website. [url="http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/snowreports/overview/default.aspx"]http://www.skiclub.c...ew/default.aspx[/url]

    Looking at the current synoptic chart, there is High Pressure (1036mb) covering the South of the Atlantic. There is low pressure over the Greenland through to Scandinavia area, with a number of separate centres. However this is generally feeding in cold or very cold Polar Maritime air for much of this region. The UK and NW mainland Europe is in between the High Pressure to the SW and the low Pressure to the NW, with a ridge of High pressure to start, before rain pushes in from the NW later in the day. The rest of Europe (including Eastern Scandinavia) mostly mild with SW winds, but remaining cold in Russia.

    [attachment=124063:Current 2nd Dec 850Hpa.png]

    [b]Synoptic Progression[/b]

    The previous blogs this winter have gone with full detail for 7 days, however accuracy of the charts after 5 days has not been that great, as a result, I'll give the general pattern only.

    Saturday sees the whole pattern move further east, Low Pressure now for much of the Atlantic and Northern and Western Europe including the UK and now the Alps. High Pressure remains for the Southern Atlantic, and SE Europe remains under High Pressure.

    Very cold in the Atlantic, and turning cooler over the UK, remaining quite mild for the Alps, the low countries and Northern France with SW winds, still cool for Scandinavia as we have a returning Polar Maritime airflow despite the SW wind direction.

    [attachment=124048:2 Dec +24.JPG]

    Sunday sees a very similar pattern, but the colder air has edged slightly further SE. A Surface High pressure has formed over Greenland above a potent Polar Vortex, feeding bitterly cold winds down from the Arctic. Low Pressure now for much of the Atlantic and Northern and Central Europe including the UK and now the Alps. High Pressure remains for the Southern Atlantic, SE Europe now has pressure around 1016-1020mb.

    Very cold in the Atlantic, and turning colder over the UK with a NW Polar Maritime airflow, with very cold air for Northern parts, cold for Southern parts of the UK, much of Northern Mainland Europe and Scandinavia. Still though rather mild for much of France, the Alps and most of Southern Europe. .

    [attachment=124050:2 Dec +48.JPG]

    Monday sees a very similar pattern, but the colder air has again edged slightly further SE. A Surface High pressure remains over Greenland (1024mb) above a potent Polar Vortex. A massive area of Low Pressure (centred west of Norway 960mb) now covers most of Europe, with very cold winds on the western side, slightly milder SW winds on its Eastern Side. for much of the Atlantic and Northern and Central Europe, High Pressure now restricted to the far SE of Europe.

    Very cold in the Atlantic, and turning colder over the UK with a NW Polar Maritime airflow, very cold air (sub -5c 850Hpa) covers the whole of the UK and parts of the low countries. Most of Northern Europe seeing cold air (sob zero 850Hpa) including progressively the Alps more detail on the snow potential to follow below), cold or very cold for the Scandinavia, with the mild air now restricted to the far south of Europe.

    [attachment=124052:2 Dec +72.JPG]

    Tuesday again sees the general pattern, low pressure for most of Europe. bringing cold or very cold air from the North West. The very cold airflow cutoff for most apart from Scandinavia, but remaining cold from most of Northern and Western parts of Europe, if anything turning colder in NE areas, as the initial cold now pushes in here.

    [attachment=124054:2 Dec +96.JPG]

    Wednesday and Thursday sees the wind direction turn round to more of westerly direction as opposed to North Westerly direction, so turning milder for the UK and much of Mainland Europe. however signs of a further blast of colder air pushing back down across the UK initially and then for most of NW Europe for Friday, so a further chance of wintry weather. Staying very cold in Scandinavia throughout, and mild over much of southern Europe.

    [attachment=124058:2 Dec +120.JPG]
    [attachment=124060:2 Dec +144.JPG]
    [attachment=124062:2 Dec +168.JPG]

    The outlook sees the potential for High pressure to build from the South West, and perhaps move back into Euro High Territory.

    [b]Alps Detail[/b]

    [size=3][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][CODE]850Hpa Summary (Noon) ,Regional Detail
    Sat 3rd Dec +1 to +4 Generally
    Sun 4th Dec +2 to +7 +2/+3 Italy, +4 to +7c Generally
    Mon 5th Dec -3 to +6 -3 (North) up steadily to +6 in Italy
    Tues 6th Dec -5 to +2 -5 (Austria) up steadily to +2 in Italy
    Wed 7th Dec -5 to +4 -5 (Austria) to to +4 in Italy, generally milder though then recent days
    Thurs 8th Dec -2 to +5 Generally +1 to +4
    Fri 9th Dec -5 to +6 0 to -5 (N Alps), 0 to 3 S Austria and S Switzerland[/CODE][/font][/size]


    [size=3][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][CODE]0c Isotherm Summary (6am) , Regional Detail
    Sat 3rd Dec 1400m-2200m 1400m-1600m Generally
    Sun 4th Dec 1400m-2800m 1400-2200m SE Switzerland, SW Austria, Higher elsewhere
    Mon 5th Dec 1200m-2800m 1200m (NW), 1600-1800m generally Austria/ Switzerland
    Tues 6th Dec 600m-1000m Generally, but 1000-1600m Italy
    Wed 7th Dec 200m-1400m 1000-1400 (W and W Austria), lower Eastern Austria
    Thurs 8th Dec 300m-2400m Local Variations
    Fri 9th Dec 900m-1800m Generally[/CODE][/font][/size]

    [size=3][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][CODE]0c Isotherm Summary (Noon) , Regional Detail
    Sat 3rd Dec 1800m-2200m Generally
    Sun 4th Dec 1900m-2400m 2200-2400m Generally
    Mon 5th Dec 1000m-2200m 1000m (NW), 1400-1600m generally Austria/ Switzerland
    Tues 6th Dec 800m-1400m 800m (N and W), 1400m Southern Austria and S Switzerland,Italy
    Wed 7th Dec 800m-2000m 800m (NE Austria), 1000-1600m Switzerland and much of Austria
    Thurs 8th Dec 1600m-3000m 1600m (NE Austria), 3000m SE Italy
    Fri 9th Dec 800m-2600m 800m (N and W), 800-1400m Southern Austria and S Switzerland, [/CODE][/font][/size]

    [b]Saturday 3 December [/b]- Quite a lot of precipitation to start Saturday morning, especially for Eastern Switzerland and Western Austria and Central Italy. Snow level around 1400m. This tending to move away to SE Austria later in the day , before a more general frontal band of heavy precipitation moves into the NW alps by late evening. This continuing during the early hours, with the potential for moderate snowfalls for NW Switzerland, the Portes Du Soleil, and into Southern Germany above around 1900m, potentially 10 inches of snow in the Northern Portes du Soleil.

    [attachment=124047:2 Dec +24 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Sunday 4 December [/b]- The precipitation only slowly dying out during the day especially for much of the French Alps, Switzerland, the German alps, and Northern Austria. The snow level generally around 2200m without much regional variation, remaining dry over the south of the Alps. Into the evening and a cold front edges in from the north. Further heavy precipitation possible for the Portes du Soleil, Switzerland, the German Alps, and Northern Austria. Snow Level around 2000-2100m.

    [attachment=124049:2 Dec +48 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Monday 5 December [/b]- The precipitation continuing Monday morning and turning very heavy through through the Portes Du Soleil, a swathe of Switzerland including Wengen and Zermatt, and into Southern Germany and the far NW of Austria. Snow levels dropping as a cold front brings in colder Polar Maritime air, from 1800m on the front edge (to the SE) to around 1200m on the back edge. A wider area covering the France Alps, all of Switzerland the German Alps, and most of Austria, excluding the SE, will see some moderate precipitation.

    During the afternoon the precipitation will become patchier but remain in the wider area described above, Snow Level, 800 (N) - 1800m (SE), During the late evening, patchy snow will fall to resort level for Switzerland.

    [attachment=124067:2 Dec for Mon am.JPG]
    [attachment=124051:2 Dec +72 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Tuesday 6 December [/b]- The morning will see patchy snow for Germany and Northern Austria, mostly dry elsewhere, By evening, further Precipitation edging in from the west, snow down to around 1000m, moderate precipitation for the French Alps, Switzerland and the German Alps, mostly dry for Italy and Austria.
    [attachment=124053:2 Dec +96 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Wednesday 7 December [/b]- The precipitation continuing into Wednesday, and moving by morning to be centred over Switzerland and Austria, and largely dying out in Switzerland during the day with some heavy precipitation in western Austria during the day, snow level around 1200m.
    [attachment=124057:2 Dec +120 Alps.JPG]

    Thursday looks mostly dry at this stage, While Friday looks as if more snow may push down from the north associated with the colder plunge, but no point going into detail this far out.
    [attachment=124059:2 Dec +144 Alps.JPG][attachment=124061:2 Dec +168 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Summary [/b]

    For the first time in months, there looks to be a probability of moderate snowfalls down to lower slope or resort levels. By the middle of next week, 25cm of snow seems very possible widely for parts of France, and Northern parts of Switzerland across to Germany, with up to 50cm in places.

    There is also the chance of further snow towards the end of next week, however there is the possibility of a Euro High returning after this.
  12. J10
    [b]Latest Conditions [/b]

    After a very slow start to the season, there has been plentiful snow over recent weeks, the past week has been drier, but with blue skies, so great skiing conditions for those out there.

    As ever visit, the Ski Club of GB website for latest details.

    [url="http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/snowreports/default.aspx"]http://www.skiclub.c...ts/default.aspx[/url]
    [u][url="http://www.snow-forecast.com/pages/tips_full"]http://www.snow-fore...pages/tips_full[/url][/u]

    A very mixed week ahead, unsettled with periods of rain and snow, but after a brief period of turning every mild at the start of the week, it looks as if the Snow Level dropping lower towards next weekend, at least for a time.


    [b]Synoptic Patterns and Progression[/b]

    As for much of the winter we seem to be stuck in a +NAO pattern, with low pressure over the Northern Latitudes with a temporary Surface High over Greenland but with a vigorous Polar Vortex above this. There is low pressure over Scandinavia feeding in cool or cold North Westerly winds over much of Europe (including the Alps). The Azores High has ridges a long way North East edging into western Europe including the UK, starting to feed in mild to very mild over the UK after a cool start.
    [attachment=125989:Current 30th Dec.JPG]

    The general +NAO pattern will not change over the next 7 days, but within this, there will be warmer and cooler periods of weather as we will see below.

    Saturday will see the Azores High Pressure (1036mb) a bit further south, but still feeding mild SW winds of a Tropical Maritime airflow into the UK and the rest of Western Europe including the western half of the Alps. Low Pressure over Scandinavia with NW winds keeping it very cold here, and remaining cool over the rest of Eastern Europe for the time being.
    [attachment=125976:30 Dec +24.JPG]

    Sunday sees the whole pattern edge east, with the milder SW flow over most of Europe and into Southern Scandinavia, remaining cold over Northern Scandinavia and cold also for SE Europe. the Winds over the Atlantic turning more of a NW direction and colder air flooding south, so tuning cooler over the UK later.

    [attachment=125978:30 Dec +48.JPG]

    Monday sees Low Pressure again dominating the scene over the Atlantic, and now over Greenland , with winds more of a flatter westerly direction, but with the cold air pumped south into the Western Atlantic previously, this should feed moderated Polar Maritime air over the UK, so cool or cold here. Mild further east over most of mainland Europe with SW winds, but staying cold over the far north of Scandinavia and Russia.
    [attachment=125980:30 Dec +72.JPG]

    Tuesday sees things unsettled on a zonal flow, NW winds pushing into the UK , so cool or cold again, and perhaps stormy over northern areas for a time. South westerly winds over Europe (including the alps), so generally mild, but slightly cooler further north and east, remaining cold over Northern Scandinavia.
    [attachment=125982:30 Dec +96.JPG]

    Wednesday, sees more a flatter Westerly flow on top of the Azores High to the south, cool over much of Northern and Western Europe (including the Alps from yesterday's NW blast). Milder towards Southern and Eastern Europe, remaining cold over Northern Scandinavia, and turning milder again from the west for the UK, as a Tropical Maritime airflow sets in for a time.
    [attachment=125984:30 Dec +120.JPG]

    Thursday and Friday a bit uncertain at this stage, the zonal pattern remains set with a mix of cool/cold Polar Maritime air and milder Tropical Maritime air, with perhaps a more general period of Tropical Maritime air around the weekend over the UK if the Azores High Pressure pushes further North East as currently suggested.
    [attachment=125986:30 Dec +144.JPG] [attachment=125988:30 Dec +168.JPG]

    [b]Alps Detail[/b]

    [b]Freezing Levels (noon)[/b]

    [b]Sat 31 Dec - [/b]2200m to 2400 (West), 1400 to 2200m (Central), 600m to 900m ( W Austria), turning milder from west
    [b]Sun 1 Jan - [/b]2400m to 2700m (South West) 1800m to 2000m W Austria
    [b]Mon 2 Jan - [/b]1700m to 2100m generally, over 2500m E Austria, turning colder from west
    [b]Tue 3 Jan - [/b]1200m to 1600m generally
    [b]Wed 4 Jan - [/b]800m to 1000m North, 1000m to 1600m Central, 1800m to 2000m Western Italy
    [b]Thur 5 Jan - [/b]800m to 1200m North, 1200m to 1500m Central, 1800m to 2400m Western Italy
    [b]Fri 6 Jan -[/b] 600m to 1000m Generally, 1000 to 1400m Western Italy

    [b]Freezing Levels (6am)[/b]

    [b]Sat 31 Dec -[/b] 1600 to 1800m (Far West), 0 to 300m (East)
    [b]Sun 1 Jan - [/b]over 2000m generally, colder far Wast Austria
    [b]Mon 2 Jan - [/b]over 2000m generally, 900-1500m for South Austria and Northern Italy,
    [b]Tue 3 Jan - [/b]0 to 400m South and West (Inc Switzerland), 600-1000m elswewhere
    [b]Wed 4 Jan - [/b]1200m to 1500m generally
    [b]Thur 5 Jan -[/b] Around 1000m , pockets lower
    [b]Fri 6 Jan[/b] - 200m to 600m generally, around 800-1000m Italy

    850 Hpa Temps (noon)

    [b]Sat 31 Dec - [/b]+3 in West, 5c in East
    [b]Sun 1 Jan - [/b]+3 to +6c generally
    [b]Mon 2 Jan - [/b]+2 to +5c generally, pockets around 0c, S Austria
    [b]Tue 3 Jan -[/b] -1 to +1c generally
    [b]Wed 4 Jan - [/b]-4c (North) to +3c (South)
    [b]Thur 5 Jan - [/b]-3c (North) to 0c (South)[b],[/b] but up to +7c (W Italy)
    [b]Fri 6 Jan[/b] - -7c (North) to -3c (South)[b],[/b] but up to +1c (W Italy)

    [b]Sat 31 Dec -[/b] Patchy snow to start over Austria dying out by morning. A warm front pushing in form the west with some heavy precipitation to start over the Portes du Soleil, Western Switzerland, with more general precipitation over Western areas. (SL 2000m (W) 1000m (E). The Precipitation continuing during the day for the above areas, but also for western Austria, Southern Germany and N Italy, SL rising to 2200 (W), 1600, E Switzerland, 800m into Austria. [attachment=125975:30 Dec +24 Alps.JPG]

    The Precipitation pushing East later, for Switzerland and Austria, heaviest along the border, SL 2200m generally, 1200m far east.

    [b]Sun 1 Jan[/b] - The rain (SL 2000m) tending to push further into Austria later and drying out by afternoon and turning drier elsewhere, much milder than recently at the end of the day. [attachment=125977:30 Dec +48 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Mon 2 Jan[/b] - Dry to start but a cold front pushes into western areas later, precipitation over France and Switzerland, heaviest along the France Switzerland border, (SL 1200m (W), 1500 (E). This pushing east by evening with the heaviest precipitation over the Austria Switzerland border, but lighter outbreaks for the rest of Switzerland, Austria and fringing areas of Germany and Italy, SL around 1200m. [attachment=125979:30 Dec +72 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Tue 3 Jan - [/b]The precipitation pushing SE over NE Italy overnight with the snow level around 1200m and heavy snow possible over the highest hills. Turning drier and colder elsewhere. [attachment=125981:30 Dec +96 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Wed 4 Jan [/b]- Another band of precipitation edging down from the north, with some precipitation likely for Germany initially and then Austria and Switzerland, SL 1000-1200m, tending to die out by evening. [attachment=125983:30 Dec +120 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Thur 5 Jan and Fri 6 Jan -[/b] A long way out given current trends but Thursday could be very snowy as another front pushes down from the North, and heavy precipitation, with snow to around 1000m, lasing for much of the day, for Northern areas to start, transferring into more central areas later, but confidence is low this far out. Friday at this stage, sees the precipitation dying out slowly and a cold day generally. [attachment=125985:30 Dec +144 Alps.JPG] [attachment=125987:30 Dec +168 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Summary [/b]A very mixed week with a mix of Polar Maritime and Tropical Maritime airflow, higher slopes could easily see further heavy snowfalls, and I wouldn't be surprised if some higher slopes saw over 50cm of fresh snow over the next 7 days.
  13. J10
    Summary

    The main talking point about the weather in the Alps, has been the severe cold especially over Eastern areas, next week looks cold or very cold.

    http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=skicentre;sess=

    [b]Syntopic Progression[/b]

    The "Siberian" High now 1056mb and centred over Western Russia, has plunged bitterly cold air over most of Europe, with Severe weather conditions in many areas. As forecast a few days ago the High is starting to fall south in Western Europe with milder weather trying to push in over the UK.
    [attachment=129787:3 fEB cURRENT.PNG]

    Remaining bitterly cold over much of Europe, but milder weather pushing from the Atlanitc for western parts of the UK, bringing mostly rain for western areas, and snow for Eastern parts of the Uk.
    [attachment=129774:3 Feb + 24.PNG]

    Remaining cold over most of Europe for Sunday, but slightly milder for the UK, Western France and Scandinavia with westerly winds.
    [attachment=129777:3 Feb + 48.PNG]

    A lot of uncertainty at the moment for the rest of the week, a bit of a battleground with milder winds trying to push in from the west, but with HP remaining over Scandiviania, this is very difficult to call. The GFS scenario shown below shows the cold air pushing back over the UK for the latter part of the week.
    [attachment=129783:3 Feb +72.PNG] [attachment=129785:3 Feb +96.PNG] [attachment=129780:3 Feb + 120.PNG]
    [attachment=129782:3 Feb + 144.PNG] [attachment=129786:3 Feb +168.PNG]

    In terms of the Alps though, it is looking very likely that condtions will be very settled and also cold or very cold.


    [b]Alps Detail[/b]

    [b]Freezing Levels (noon)[/b]
    [b]Sat 4 Feb - [/b]Sea level generally, 0-400m around France/Italy border
    [b]Sun [/b][b]5 Feb[/b][b] - [/b]Sea level generally, 200m-600m France/Italy border, S Switzerland, SW Austria
    [b][b]Mon [/b][/b][b]6 Feb[/b][b][b] -[/b][/b]Sea level generally, 200m-600m France/Italy border, S Switzerland, SW Austria
    [b][b]Tue[/b][/b][b] 7 Feb[/b][b][b] -[/b][/b]Sea level generally, 200m-600m France/Italy border, S Switzerland, SW Austria
    [b]Wed 8 Feb - [/b]0-500m generally, 700m-1000m France/Italy border and 1100-1300m S Switzerland, SW Austria
    [b][b]Thur 9 Feb - [/b][/b]0-600m generally, 700m-1400m France/Italy border, S Switzerland, SW Austria
    [b][b]Fri 10 Feb -[/b][/b]0-600m generally, 700m-1400m France/Italy border, S Switzerland, SW Austria

    [b]Freezing Levels (6am)[/b]
    [b]To Sea Level throughout the period, with temps set to fall below -20c over some parts of the Alps, every night for the next week.[/b]

    [b]850 Hpa Temps (noon)[/b]
    [b]Sat 4 Feb[/b][b] - [/b][b]-9 to -11c South, -16 to -19c North[/b]
    [b]Sun [/b][b]5 Feb[/b][b] - [/b][b]-6 to -9c South and West, -14 to -19c North[/b] and East
    [b][b]Mon [/b][/b][b]6 Feb[/b][b] - [/b][b]-6 to -9c South and West, -15 to -19c North[/b] and East
    [b][b]Tue[/b][/b][b] 7 Feb[/b][b] -[/b] [b]-[/b][b]5 to -9c South, -12 to -15c North[/b]
    [b]Wed 8 Feb - -2 to -6c [/b]Some Central areas, sub -10c elsewhere
    [b]Thur 9 Feb -[/b] [b]-1 to -5c [/b]Some Central areas, -7 to -9c elsewhere
    [b]Fri 10 Feb[/b] -[b] -1 to -4c [/b]Some Central areas, sub -5 to -9c elsewhere
    The central areas mentioned above tend to relate to a small area of the far SE of Switzerland and SW Austria

    [b]Sat 4 Feb -[/b] Mostly dry and Sunny, some patchy snow edging into Austria from the east at times.
    [b]Sun [/b][b]5 Feb[/b][b] - [/b]Mostly dry and Sunny, some patchy snow edging into Austria from the east at times.
    [b][b]Mon [/b][/b][b]6 Feb[/b][b] - [/b]Mostly dry and Sunny
    [b][b]Tue[/b][/b][b] 7 Feb[/b][b] - [/b]Mostly Dry and sunny, some light to moderate snow at times for Austria
    [b]Wed 8 Feb[/b][b], [/b][b]Thur 9 Feb[/b][b], [/b][b]Fri 10 Feb[/b] -[b] Mostly Dry and Sunny[/b]

    [attachment=129790:3 Feb +24 Alps.PNG]
    [attachment=129776:3 Feb + 48 Alps.PNG]
    [attachment=129778:3 Feb + 72 Alps.PNG]
    [attachment=129784:3 Feb +96 Alps.PNG]
    [attachment=129779:3 Feb + 120 Alps.PNG]
    [attachment=129781:3 Feb + 144 Alps.PNG]
    [attachment=129789:3 Feb + 168 Alps.PNG]
  14. J10
    [b]Summary[/b]

    There has been further heavy snow across higher parts of the Alps leading to bumper conditions in many places, further snowfall is also likely in many places for the next few days. Thereafter it is likely to turn sunny and warm, great conditions for skiing, but not good, for the snow pack, so some thawing is likely and there may be an avalanche risk.

    [url="http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/snowreports/default.aspx"]http://www.skiclub.c...ts/default.aspx[/url]
    [u][url="http://www.snow-forecast.com/pages/tips_full"]http://www.snow-fore...pages/tips_full[/url][/u]

    [b]Synoptic Patterns and Progression[/b]

    As per last week we seem to be stuck in a +NAO pattern, with low pressure over the Northern Latitudes however there is slightly higher pressure around Svalbard, with High Pressure further north ,there is a temporary Surface High over Greenland with the Polar Vortex over Western Greenland and especially Canada. There is low pressure over Scandinavia feeding in cool or cold North Westerly winds over much of Central Europe (including the Alps). The Azores High has again ridged a long way North East edging into western Europe including the UK, starting to feed in mild to very mild over the UK after a cool start. In fact the pattern is so similar to Last Friday, I could have kept last Friday's summary and it wouldn't have been that far out.

    [attachment=126615:Current 6th Jan.JPG]

    Saturday and Sunday sees the pattern edge eastwards, winds temporarily turning NW wards over the UK and the NE flank of the Azores High, so turning cooler over NE parts of the UK on Saturday, but milder again by Sunday as winds turn back to move a westerly. Generally milder for NW Europe though, staying cool over Central and Northern areas of Mainland Europe including the Alps, and also staying cool or cold over Scandinavia.

    [attachment=126602:6 Jan +24.JPG] [attachment=126604:6 Jan +48.JPG]

    By Monday, the Azores High has pushes further North East to be centered just off the west coast of France, this very much giving settled conditions for the UK and NW Europe, mostly mild as well, but temporarily cooler in N Scotland. To the East, the Alps hanging on to the colder weather further east, with much of Eastern Europe cold with N to NE Winds. Low Pressure very much in control over the Northern latitudes covering Canada to Norway, cool over Southern Scandinavia with westerly winds, but turning increasingly cold over Northern Scandinavia. Very much a +NAO pattern at this stage.

    [attachment=126606:6 Jan +72.JPG]

    Tuesday sees the High Pressure build over NW Europe even further, so settled and mild over the UK and NW Europe, the Alps continues to be on edge of the cold to the east, and mild to the west. Cool over Central Europe but still cold to the East. SW winds spreading across Scandinavia, mild for the south, and remaining very cold into N and especially NE Scandinavia.
    [attachment=126608:6 Jan +96.JPG]

    Wednesday to Friday, sees the High Pressure continue to push east, with mild Tropical Maritime air now pretty much covering all of Europe, so very settled conditions for the most part. The Exception being Northern Scandinavia where some parts should be cool and it should remain cold over Northern districts.

    [attachment=126610:6 Jan +120.JPG] [attachment=126612:6 Jan +144.JPG] [attachment=126614:6 Jan +168.JPG]

    [b]Alps Detail[/b]

    [b]Freezing Levels (noon)[/b]
    [b]Sat 7 Jan - [/b]600m to 800m (E Austria), 1200m to 1500m (Generally)
    [b]Sun 8 Jan - [/b]800m to 1000m (North), 1000m to 1400m (South), 2000m (SW Italy)
    [b]Mon 9 Jan - [/b]800m to 1000m (North), 1000m to 1400m (South)
    [b]Tue 10 Jan - [/b]800m to 1000m (E Austria), Over 2000m (South and West), 1200m to 1500m Switzerland
    [b]Wed 11 Jan - [/b]2000m to 3000m (West), 600m to 1600 (Austria, east to west)
    [b]Thur 12 Jan - [/b]2000m to 2200m (East), 2400m to 2600m (West)
    [b]Fri 13 Jan -[/b] 2200m to 2500m (Generally)

    [b]Freezing Levels (6am)[/b]
    [b]Sat 7 Jan -[/b] 0 to 300m (Generally), 600m to 1200m (Italy)
    [b]Sun 8 Jan - [/b]600m to 900m (Generally), 600m to 2100m (Italy)
    [b]Mon 9 Jan - [/b]0 to 600m (Generally), 800m to 1200m (Italy)
    [b]Tue 10 Jan - [/b]300m to 900m (Generally), 1200m to 1800m (Italy)
    [b]Wed 11 Jan - [/b]0 to 300m (Generally), 300m to 1500m (Italy)
    [b]Thur 12 Jan -[/b] 0 to 600m (Generally), 600m-1200m (S parts of Austria and Switzerland),1200m to 2400m (Italy)
    [b]Fri 13 Jan[/b] - Variable

    [b]850 Hpa Temps (noon)[/b]
    [b]Sat 7 Jan - [/b]0 to +3 in West, -4 to -5c in East
    [b]Sun 8 Jan - [/b]-2 to -5c (North), 0 to +2 (South), up to +5c (W Italy)
    [b]Mon 9 Jan - [/b]0 to -2 in West, -4 to -5c in East
    [b]Tue 10 Jan -[/b] 0 to -3c in West, -3 to -7c in East, +2 to +5c Italy
    [b]Wed 11 Jan - [/b]-2c (East) to +3c (West)
    [b]Thur 12 Jan -[/b]+1 to +4c Generally
    [b]Fri 13 Jan[/b] - +3 to +4c Generally

    [b]Summary[/b]

    [b]Sat [/b]After a mostly dry and settled start, precipitation is likely to edge in from the North West later, and become moderate over Switzerland an Austria by evening and the early overnight period. (SL around 1200m)
    [attachment=126601:6 Jan +24 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Sun[/b] The moderate snow continuing to morning over Switzerland and Austria. The precipitation continuing through the day, the Snow Level rising to around 800m midday, but falling back to around 300-500m by evening. (20cm of fresh snow possible in places)
    [attachment=126603:6 Jan +48 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Mon [/b]The snow continuing overnight but slowly becoming confined to Austria by morning, finally by mid afternoon the precipitation slowly fading away (SL never above 800m, generally cool and settled over the Alps
    [attachment=126605:6 Jan +72 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Tue [/b]Settled over much of the Alps, with a lot of sunny weather and generally turning milder the exception being Austria, where precipitation will develop again overnight, and continue until afternoon, it is likely to be concentrated towards NW Austria, SL around 800m (Max)
    [attachment=126607:6 Jan +96 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Wed[/b] Looks Dry and Sunny, bitterly cold overnight, milder in the west by day.
    [attachment=126609:6 Jan +120 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Thur and Fri[/b] Looks Dry and Sunny, mild by day, Bitterly cold overnight.
    [attachment=126611:6 Jan +144 Alps.JPG] [attachment=126613:6 Jan +168 Alps.JPG]
  15. J10
    [b]Current Situation[/b]

    After a very mild start to the season, there has been a great week of weather this week, with heavy snow over parts of the Alps, as ever Altitude helps but snow has fallen to resort level quite widely. The Ski Club of GB website has more details as ever on the following links.

    [url="http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/news/story.aspx?storyID=8415"]http://www.skiclub.c...px?storyID=8415[/url]
    [url="http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/snowreports/overview/default.aspx"]http://www.skiclub.c...ew/default.aspx[/url]

    The current position sees a surface High Pressure over Greenland (1040mb), the remnants of yesterdays storm over Scotland is now centered over Norway giving a cold Polar Maritime NW flow over the UK, Other parts of NW Europe have a cool NW Flow, which also fringes the Alps . There is High Pressure covering the Southern Atlantic and also for Southern Europe.
    [attachment=124576:Current 9th Dec.JPG]

    [b]Synoptics[/b]

    Tomorrow sees a very quick slackening of the High Pressure over Greenland with pressure reducing to 1016mb. For the North Atlantic through to Norway, there is low pressure but with a flat pattern, with Westerly winds running all the way from America through to NE mainland Europe. High Pressure remains over the South Atlantic, but with slack High pressure over much of Southern Europe extending as far north as the Alps.

    Cool for the UK, briefly turning milder over the UK as rain and a mild sector pushes in later, Very Cold over Northern Scandinavia, generally cool or cold over the rest of Scandinavia, NE Europe, quite mild over the Alps and the remainder of Europe.

    [attachment=124563:9 Dec +24.JPG]

    Sunday sees Low Pressure over much of Northern Atlantic through to Northern Europe, with a mainly flat zonal pattern with westerly winds. High Pressure remains in control over Southern Europe. Milder for the UK, quite cool for much of Northern mainland Europe, but again mild for much of Southern Europe including the Alps, the coldest weather reserved for Northern Scandinavia.

    [attachment=124571:9 Dec +48.JPG]

    Monday sees The basic theme of low pressure to the north and Higher Pressure to the South remains, however the Azores High to the South West is further south, as a very cold North West wind pushes south off the coast of North America, further west there is a SW wind over the UK and much of Europe.

    Very cold over Northern Scandinavia, but with SW winds for the rest of Europe, generally mild, but cool for Southern Scandinavia and for the UK and the far NW of Europe for a time.

    [attachment=124565:9 Dec +72.JPG]

    Tuesday sees Low Pressure covering the area from North America to Scandinavia, with the Azores High is now tilted in a NW/SE direction as this could mean NW winds bring Polar Maritime winds over much of the Atlantic. There is deep area of low pressure centered over Scotland, and this could give very unsettled weather with very strong winds for UK, although exact detail and timings are uncertain at this moment. Remaining more settled the further south and east you go into mainland Europe.

    Most of Europe including the Alps is mild or quite mild, cool winds for the UK and much of Scandinavia, cold for Northern Scandinavia.

    [attachment=124573:9 Dec +96.JPG]

    The Synoptic pattern for Wednesday very similar, with low pressure dominating conditions over much of the Atlantic and Northern Europe, the low pressure over the UK on Tuesday moves slightly North East off the coast of Norway but still looking like strong winds over the UK.

    Cool over the UK and NW Europe strengthening over the Alps, with a polar Maritime airflow, cool for Scandinavia with a Returning Polar Maritime airflow remaining mild for Southern Europe.

    [attachment=124567:9 Dec +120.JPG]

    A lot of uncertainty after this, but at this stage, you cannot really go against the theme of low pressure to the south and Higher Pressure over Southern areas, perhaps moving further east into western mainland Europe. Possibly cool over much of Northern Europe, at this stage it looks as if the Alps will be on the milder side of the weather.

    [attachment=124575:9 Dec +144.JPG]
    [attachment=124569:9 Dec +168.JPG]

    [b]Alps Detail[/b]

    [b]0c Isotherm Daytime Max Summary[/b]
    [b]Sat[/b] 1200-1600m North, 1800-2000m elsewhere.
    [b]Sun [/b]1400-1800m generally 2000-2200m SE
    [b]Mon[/b] 1400-1800m generally, 2000-2300m E Austria
    [b]Tue[/b] 1600-1800m S Austria and N Italy over 2000m elsewhere.
    [b]Wed[/b] 1400m NW rising incrementally to 1800m SE Austria
    [b]Thur[/b] 600-800 North and West rising to 1400m SE Austria
    [b]Fri [/b]900m E Austria, up to 2200m W Alps

    [b]0c Isotherm Night Summary[/b]
    Generally quite mid overnight over the Alps with Freezing Levels around 1200-1500m however much colder on Sunday Night down to 600m in places.

    [b]850Hpa Summary [/b]

    [b]Sat[/b] Lowest at -4c in Central Germany rising steadily to +4 in Southern Switzerland.
    [b]Sun [/b]0 to +4c generally, warmest over France and Switzerland
    [b]Mon[/b] -2 to 0c over France, up to +3 or +4c over Austria.
    [b]Tue[/b] 0c over Austria, but +4 o +5 in a swathe form France , Northern Switzerland through to Germany
    [b]Wed[/b] +1 to +3c generally, turning colder from the west alter.
    [b]Thur[/b]-4 or -5 for much of Germany, France and Austria, and N Switzerland, warmer over S Switzerland, and especially Italy up to +1/+3c
    [b]Fri [/b]+3 or +4 in the west, -2 to -3c over Austria

    [b]Saturday 10th December -[/b] Heavy Precipitation to start over the Northern Alps in the early morning, for Southern Germany and the far north of Switzerland and Austria. This continuing during the day but edging south into Northern Switzerland and Austria, and the far south of Germany, Snow Levels around 1000m on the north of the front, around 1600m in the south of the front. Mostly dry elsewhere over the Alps, and any precipitation dying out during the afternoon and evening.
    [attachment=124562:9 Dec +24 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Sunday 11th December -[/b] Mostly dry and settled over the Alps with some decent sunny spells. Pressure around 1016mb (W) to 1023mnb (E) with light SW winds.

    [attachment=124570:9 Dec +48 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Monday 12th December - [/b]Dry to start but showers developing over Italy and perhaps southern parts of Austria later. A cold front will edge into western areas of the Alps especially France during the morning and spreading east over the afternoon into Switzerland then Austria Snow levels around 1200-1500m, perhaps up to 15-20cm of snow in places. Any precipitation moving away to the East quickly during the evening.

    [attachment=124564:9 Dec +72 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Tuesday 13th December - [/b]Mostly dry over Southern and Eastern parts of the Alps, light precipitation edging into North Western areas, and this continuing through the day before dying out during the late afternoon and early evening, Snow above around 2000m.

    [attachment=124572:9 Dec +96 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Wednesday 14th December -[/b] Another day of a NW SE split, remaining mostly dry and bright in the SE, Precipitation again edging into the NW into the afternoon, with some heavy bursts possible especially during the afternoon, Snow above aroudn 1400m .

    [attachment=124566:9 Dec +120 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Thursday 15th December and Friday 16th December -[/b] A this stage looking colder for Thursday with periods of snow down to around 800m . Friday looks milder with rain spreading from the west.
    [attachment=124574:9 Dec +144 Alps.JPG]
    [attachment=124568:9 Dec +168 Alps.JPG]

    [b]Summary[/b]
    In a week with a very defined theme of unsettled weather over Northern Europe, very difficult to pin down the exact conditions over the Alps especially day to day. Temps will fluctuate widely especially for northern areas. the further North and West you go there will be more precipitation and it looks as if snow coverage will be increased over the higher slopes, but decrease on lower slopes as much of the precipitation will fall as rain and there will be a thawing of lying snow, due to raised temps.

    For people going on holiday this week it should be quite decent with sunny spells especially towards the south and east and not terribly cold during the day.
  16. J10
    [b]Overview[/b]

    The Alps over recent weeks have seen great conditions for those wanting warm sunshine, but not those wanting to see long lasting snow conditions. However recent days has seen colder weather push in from the East,

    [url="http://www.snow-forecast.com/overviews/tips_full"]http://www.snow-fore...views/tips_full[/url]

    The forthcoming week has a great deal of weather uncertainty for the UK after the recent Sudden Stratospheric Warming Event (SSW), however for Europe and the Alps very cold weather is pretty much guaranteed although precipitation details may very well be more uncertain.

    [b]Synoptic Charts [/b]

    The charts shown are based on the GFS run of 12Hz on Friday 11th Jan.

    [attachment=152749:11 Jan 00.JPG]

    [b]Sat 12 Jan [/b]
    So if we start the Synoptic Analysis on Saturday. There is deep low Pressure to the North of Scandinavia, feeding some very cold air into northern parts here. A surface High over Greenland with Low Pressure over the western Atlantic, there is a high pressure over Scandinavia and this is feeding in some very cold air for much of Northern and Eastern mainland Europe. There is low pressure to the SE f the UK moving South Eastwards over the southern parts of the UK, introducing the easterly to give colder air to the UK, and a wintry mix of weather to southern areas.

    [attachment=152750:12 Jan.JPG]


    [b]Sun 13 Jan [/b]

    By Sunday the low pressure had moved into Europe and a colder Easterly flow has set up over the UK. A easterly feed over much of Northern Europe giving cool or cold conditions over the Alps. A low pressure system is establishing itself to the NW of the UK.

    [attachment=152751:13 Jan.JPG]

    [b]Mon 14 Jan [/b]
    Monday seeing the low pressure mentioned above move South Easterly across the over the UK, with the chance of widespread snow over the UK, at his stage more especially for eastern area, although this is currently uncertain. Over Europe a NE feed is set up over the Alps, turning very cold here. Further to the west of the UK the Azores high is ridging further north giving a tenuous block to Greenland..

    [attachment=152752:14 Jan.JPG]

    [b]Tue 15 Jan [/b]

    On Tuesdays chart you can see High Pressure to the Azores and over Scandinavia with low pressure over the UK running though much of Europe. To the west there is milder weather attempting to push in from the Atlantic.

    [attachment=152753:15 Jan.JPG]

    [b]Wed 16 Jan to Fri 18 Jan [/b]
    After this point there is huge model uncertainty and things are likely to change a number of times, at this stage GFS keeps it cold with a NE flow over the UK before collapsing the High to the south and allowing SW winds to start push in from the west. In contrast the ECM keeping the High Pressure closer to the UK, so still cold but drier.
    Despite the synoptic uncertainty, looking very cold over the Alps and much of mainland Europe.

    [attachment=152754:16 Jan.JPG]

    [attachment=152755:17 Jan.JPG]

    [attachment=152756:18 Jan.JPG]

    [b]Alps Detail [/b]


    [b]Sat 12 Jan[/b]
    [attachment=152823:Alps 12 Jan.JPG]
    A Largely dry but very cold start over the Alps for the weekend. However some light precipitation is possible for SE Germany and NW Austria at times during the afternoon. Freezing Levels French Alps 1000-1400m, Switzerland 600m (N) to 1400m (SW), Austria 200m (NE) to 1000m (SW), Italy 1000-1200m generally, Germany 400m-800m

    [b]Sun 13 Jan[/b]
    [attachment=152824:Alps 13 Jan.JPG]
    Again a very cold and mostly dry start, this time precipitation edging up from the south later into the afternoon for the Italian laps and into SE Austria. Freezing Levels very similar to Saturday.

    [b]Mon 14 Jan[/b]
    [attachment=152825:Alps 14 Jan.JPG]
    Another very cold start but this time but moderate snow (to all Alpine levels) pushing up from the south into Northern Italy and Central and Southern parts of Austria during the morning. By noon, the intensity of the [b]precipitation [/b]should have diminished but it should become more widespread for Austria and Northern Italy, fringing East Switzerland and SE Germany. Outbreaks of snow continuing until evening more concentrated into areas mentioned above. Freezing Levels French Alps 1000-1400m, Switzerland 600m (N) to 1400m (SW), Austria 200m (NE) to 1000m (SW), Italy 1000-1200m generally, Germany 400m-800m Some even during the afternoon, the precipitation over the Alps will fall as snow apart at very lowest resorts in Italy.

    [b]Tue 15 Jan[/b]
    [attachment=152826:Alps 15 Jan.JPG]
    Tuesday seems snow continuing overnight in Central Northern Italy and Western Austria this fading away later, however more snow edges into Western areas by late morning and across southern part into the afternoon.

    Freezing Levels French Alps 400-600m, Switzerland 200m (N) to 800m (SE), Austria 200m (NE) to 1000m (SW), Italy 200-800m generally, Germany 200m-600m

    [b]Wed 16 Jan to Fri 18 Jan[/b]
    [attachment=152828:Alps 16 Jan.JPG]
    Wednesday look like bring a showery day over the Alps, with the heaviest of showers in Eastern areas.
    Freezing Levels French Alps 100-800m, Switzerland 100m (N) to 900m (SW), Austria 100m (NE) to 600m (SW), Italy 200-800m generally, Germany 100-300m
    The outlook towards the weekend is remaining very much on the cold side cold by day, bitterly cold by night. With a lot of uncertainty about precipitation amounts.
    However the cold weather will allow for the snow cannons to be operated widely and this should help snow cover even where there is a lack of precipitation.
  17. J10
    [size=4][font=arial][b]Alps Conditions [/b][/font][/size]

    There was decent fresh snow over medium to higher slopes at the start of the past week, but much milder temps has brought rain to all but the very highest slopes, making snow conditions not fantastic, despite the abundance of snow still at some higher slopes.
    [url="http://www.snow-forecast.com/overviews/tips_full"]http://www.snow-forecast.com/overviews/tips_full[/url]

    Looking very mild next week, so it really is a must to head for the very highest slopes.

    [b]Synoptic Summary[/b]

    Low Pressure over the Alps at the moment, with a coolish Westerly flow, with low pressure also over the Atlantic and high pressure over the Azores and over Northern Africa. Over the weekend, the low pressure over the Atlantic will edge east with a mild SW flow setting up for NW Europe in conjunction with high pressure building over Europe to the East.
    [attachment=168215:12 Apr Current.JPG] [attachment=168214:14 Apr.JPG]

    A mild SW flow is expected to persist until midweek with 850HPA reaching 10c at times over the Alps from a Spanish plume. Thereafter High Pressure is likely over the Alps but with mild air in situ more especially for SW parts of the Alps.

    [attachment=168213:15 Apr.JPG] [attachment=168212:19 Apr.JPG]

    [size=4][font=arial][b]Alps Detail[/b][/font][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial][b]Sat 13 Apr[/b][/font][/size]
    [size=4][font=arial]Some overnight precipitation tending to clear quite quickly, so that by morning mostly dry over the Alps. A few patchy showers developing for the first part of the afternoon, but generally well scattered and not that heavy.
    A north South split in the temperatures, Freezing Level (3pm) Southern Germany 1700m-2100m (N to S), French Alps 2200-2400m (NW to SE), Switzerland 2000-2300m (NW to S), Italian Alps 2100m-2300m, Austria 1700m-2100m (NE to SW)[/font][/size]
    [size=4][font=arial][attachment=168208:13 Apr Alps.JPG][/font][/size]

    [b][size=4][font=arial]Sun 14 Apr[/font][/size][/b]
    [size=4][font=arial]A dry day seems likely over the Alps with decent sunny spells for skiing in for most, given the milder temps, some thaw is likely. It really is starting to warm up from the west with Freezing Level (3pm) Southern Germany 2000m-3500m, French Alps 3000-3500m, Switzerland 2500-3500m, Italian Alps 2000m-3500m, Austria 1600m-3000m (All East to West)[/font][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial][attachment=168207:14 Apr Alps.JPG][/font][/size]
    [b][size=4][font=arial]Mon 15 Apr [/font][/size][/b]
    [size=4][font=arial]Another dry day seems likely over the Alps with decent sunny spells for skiing in for most, given the temps a rapid thaw is likely. The milder weather now covers the whole of the Alps. Freezing Level (3pm) Southern Germany 3000m-3200m, French Alps 3200-3400m, Switzerland 3200-3400m, Italian Alps 3200m-3600m, Austria 2400m-3200m (All East to West)[/font][/size]
    [size=4][font=arial][attachment=168206:15 Apr Alps.JPG][/font][/size]

    [b][size=4][font=arial]Tue 16 Apr[/font][/size][/b]
    [size=4][font=arial]Mostly dry to start, a few showers developing in the morning, these tending to become far more extensive during the afternoon, heavy and moderate in places, largely falling as rain except on the highest slopes. Freezing Level (3pm) Southern Germany, French Alps, Switzerland, the Italian Alps, Western Austria 3000m-3100m, E Austria 2400m-3000m[/font][/size]

    [attachment=168205:16 Apr Alps.JPG]

    [size=4][font=arial][b]Wed 17 Apr[/b][/font][/size]
    [size=4][font=arial]Mostly dry in the morning, however showers tending to develop into the afternoon, heavy and moderate in places, largely falling as rain except on the highest slopes. Freezing Level (3pm) Southern Germany 2600m-2700m, French Alps 2900-3100m, Switzerland 2700-3100m, Italian [/font][/size][size=4][font=arial]Alps 3100m-3300m, Austria 2700m-3100m (All North to South)[/font][/size]
    [size=4][font=arial]More general precipitation into the evening for Austria.[/font][/size]

    [attachment=168204:17 Apr Alps.JPG]
    [size=4][font=arial][b]18 April and 19 April[/b][/font][/size]
    [size=4][font=arial]PA this stage, looking mostly dry after any initial precipitation moves away, perhaps tuning less mild from the NE for a time, but staying generally on the mild/warm side. [/font][/size]
    [size=4][font=arial][attachment=168203:18 Apr Alps.JPG]
    [attachment=168202:19 Apr Alps.JPG][/font][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial][b]Summary[/b][/font][/size]
    [size=4][font=arial]Very much looking as if Spring is on the way, a major thaw seems likely this week, with any lowers resorts still open taking a pounding. However it has been a great season and all things must eventually come to an end. [/font][/size]Next week will see the final skiing forecast blog of the season.
  18. J10
    [b]Alps / Europe Past week [/b]

    The forecast last week suggested a mostly dry week over the Alps and cold or very cold. As ever the following link gives the latest conditions [url="http://www.snow-forecast.com/overviews/tips_full"]http://www.snow-fore...views/tips_full[/url] this seems to suggest that the bas forecast was right at least until Thursday. However much milder weather has swept across the Alps today or tomorrow for much of the Alps.

    [b]This week for the Alps in Summary - [/b]Some forecasts are quite easy, when it is turning much colder or when turning much milder, but this week is much trickier to pinpoint, turning milder, but with carting snow levels, and no 2 days re the same,[b] [/b]with some rain and snow likely to most resorts. The heaviest of the precipitation in the west, and at this stage, most resorts over 1500m are likely to see snow depths rise this week, but snow depths are likely to fall below this due to thaw and more rain than snow.

    [b]Daily Summaries [/b]

    [b]Starting with today's actual synoptic charts [/b]- [attachment=148823:14 Dec.JPG]

    [b]Temp guide at 850HPa[/b] sub -10c very cold, -5c cold, 0-5c cool, 0 to +5c mild, above +5c very mild

    [b]Sat 15 December -[/b] There is a large area of High Pressure (1056mb) centred over Russia, with south to South Easterly winds over Eastern Europe, and Northern Scandinavia, very cold here. There is low pressure covering much of the Atlantic, lowest pressure around 970mb to the west of the UK. This is feeding in mild SW winds over the UK and much of Northern and Central Europe, including Southern Scandinavia[b] and the Alps[/b]. Further South there is High Pressure over Southern Europe as the Azores High ridges eastwards, bringing mild or very mild weather here.

    [attachment=148822:15 Dec.JPG]

    [b]Sun 16 December -[/b] The general pattern very similar, however the air mixing out over Northern and Eastern Europe, turning less cold over much of Scandinavia, and less mild over other parts of North Eastern Europe, this fringing the Alps, so not quite so mild here. The low pressure over Atlantic, weakening, but still rather unsettled and mild over the UK. Further South there is still High Pressure over Southern Europe, bringing mild or very mild weather here.

    [attachment=148821:16 Dec.JPG]

    [b]Mon 17 December -[/b] Synoptically again similar, but the low pressure now over the UK (99mb) and continuing to weaken. Cool over the UK, much of Northern mainland Europe, cold over Scandinavia and over Russia with the High Pressure still strong (1048mb). Still mild over Southern Europe. The Alps in between the cool weather to the North and mild weather to the south, with 850HPA around 0c.

    [attachment=148820:17 Dec.JPG]

    [b]Tue 18 December -[/b] High Pressure continues to dominate over Russia, Eastern Europe and into Scandinavia, so cold or very cold here. Cool over much of Europe with weak low pressure over the low countries. Still mild over Southern Europe, low pressure further east, the Azores high keeping things more settled over Iberia, Pressure also starting to rise over Western parts of the UK, cool in the east, mild in the west.

    [attachment=148819:18 Dec.JPG]

    [b]Wed 19 December -[/b] High Pressure (1052mb) continues to dominate over Russia, Eastern Europe and into Scandinavia, so cold or very cold here. A deep area develops over the Atlantic bringing unsettled conditions and very mild air into Southern parts of the UK. Also turning milder over western parts of mainland Europe, but still cool over Eastern Europe, this divide splitting the Alps in Half.

    [attachment=148818:19 Dec.JPG]

    [b]Towards Weekend -[/b] The High Pressure Over Russia remains a constant, so very cold here and into Scandinavia, cool also over Eastern Europe. The Azores High staring to ridge back into Southern parts of the UK, and cooler again after the mild weather of midweek. As has been often the case this week, the Alps very much in between weather systems.

    [attachment=148817:21 Dec.JPG]

    [b]Alps Weather[/b]

    After recent consistently very cold weather. There is set to be far more of a variation in snow level throughout the week, so very much worth looking at up to date forecasts.

    [b]Sat 15 December - [/b]Unsettled overnight with some heavy precipitation more especially over SW Germany, NW Switzerland and into France, but general precipitation over Western parts of the Alps. By noon, the precipitation becoming moderate of much of the Alps, but drier in Austria. By evening everything transfers east, drier over the western Alps , but heavy precipitation over Austria. Snow Levels midnight around 2000m-2200m, 6am 1500m-1800m, noon 1400-1600m NW and 2200-2200m SE, 6pm 1000-1200m NW and 1700-2000m SE

    [attachment=148831:Alps 15 Dec.JPG]

    [b]Sun 16 December - [/b][b]O[/b][b]vernight sees the precipitation moves away to the east, but showers always continuing in western areas. [/b]These continuing into the afternoon and becoming more widespread, before retreating back to western areas by evening. Snow Levels 1200m morning and evening, closer to 1600m mid afternoon.

    [attachment=148830:Alps 16 Dec.JPG]

    [b]Mon 17 December - [/b][b]Further precipitation in western areas for much of the day, some of it heavy at times, especially on the Swiss French border, [/b]Further east generally drier but the odd shower cannot be ruled out anywhere. Snow Levels 800m-1000m generally, up to 1000m-1200m mid afternoon.

    [attachment=148829:Alps 17 Dec.JPG]

    [b]Tue 18 December - [/b]A colder start for the Alps, with the freezing level at 200-400m in the east, Further Precipitation for western parts of the Alps during the day, this spreading to more central areas by afternoon. Snow Levels around 1000-1200m.

    [attachment=148828:Alps 18 Dec.JPG]

    [b]Wed 19 December -[/b] At this stage looking like the driest day on the week, with some moderate precipitation in central areas moving into Austria later being the only notable precipitation. A very notable temperature contrasts, Freezing level over 2000m in far west, 800m-1200m elsewhere.

    [attachment=148827:Alps 19 Dec.JPG]

    [b]Looking Ahead - [/b]At this stage dry on Thursday but milder, with freezing level over 2000m in places, but 600-800m over Austria., Friday looks rather unsettled again from the west, at this stage freezing levels around 1400-1600m.
  19. J10
    [b]Overview[/b]

    [url="http://www.snow-forecast.com/overviews/tips_full"]http://www.snow-fore...views/tips_full[/url]

    After recent snow in the last couple of weeks, great conditions continue over many areas in the Alps, looking a bit drier next week, with plenty of sunshine hopefully on offer.

    [b]Synoptic Summary[/b]

    [attachment=161164:15 Feb Actual.JPG]

    To start the weekend there is a surface Greenland High (1032mb), with low pressure in the Atlantic and High Pressure over much of Europe giving cool winds over the Alps and SW winds for the UK.
    Over the weekend and into next week, the general pattern shows little change however the orientation of the High Pressure over Europe moves around changing wind direction and source of the air for Europe, into the Alps and over the UK.

    [attachment=161163:16 Feb.JPG]
    [attachment=161162:17 Feb.JPG]

    By Monday the wind direction turns around to more of a SE over the UK, with still generally mild wind here, further west over Europe more of an Easterly/North Easterly flow and generally cold air.

    [attachment=161161:18 Alps.JPG]

    Tuesday sees High Pressure build over Scandinavia and with low pressure over Northern mainland Europe a very cold NE flow starts to set in here. Over subsequent days this low pressure system is to push further south giving a E to NE flow over the Alps and over to the UK.

    [attachment=161154:19 Feb.JPG]
    [attachment=161159:20 Feb.JPG]

    The general pattern of this is now quite likely but still with significant variations in the coldness of the air.
    By Friday the winds turn round to more a SE flow as low pressure attempt to nudge in from the SW, at least according to GFS. Other models have the cold easterly flow being more likely to hold on.

    [attachment=161155:21 Feb.JPG]
    [attachment=161165:22 Feb.JPG]

    [b][font=Calibri","sans-serif]Alps Summary[/font][/b]

    [b][font=Calibri","sans-serif]Sat 16 February[/font][/b]

    [font=Calibri","sans-serif]A very cold start to the day with freezing levels widely down to 0-200m at 6am, at this time some patchy snow showers over Western Austria and fringing southern parts of Germany. These showers largely dying out during the afternoon and evening. [/font]

    Freezing Level (noon) Southern Germany 600-800m, French Alps 800-1500m (NW to SE), Switzerland 600-1400m (N to S), Italian Alps 1100-1400m, Austria 600m-1300m ( E to W)

    [attachment=161150:16 Feb Alps.JPG]

    [b][font=Calibri","sans-serif]Sun 17 February[/font][/b]
    [font=Calibri","sans-serif]A very cold start to the day with freezing levels widely down to 0-200m, a little less cold over parts of Italy at 6am. [/font]
    [font=Calibri","sans-serif]Mostly dry again, with possibly a few light showers developing during the afternoon. [/font]

    Freezing Level (noon) Southern Germany 600-800m, French Alps 800-1400m (NW to SE), Switzerland 600-1400m (N to S), Italian Alps 800-1400m, Austria 300m-1200m ( E to W)

    [attachment=161149:17 Feb Alps.JPG]

    [b][font=Calibri","sans-serif]Mon 18 February[/font][/b]
    [font=Calibri","sans-serif]The settled spell continues with most places staying dry, very cold everywhere again early and late. [/font]
    Freezing Level (noon) Southern Germany 600-1000m, French Alps 1000-1400m (NW to SE), Switzerland 700-1400m (N to S), Italian Alps 800-1400m, Austria 200m-1400m ( E to SW)

    [attachment=161148:18 Feb Alps.JPG]

    [b][font=Calibri","sans-serif]Tue 19 February[/font][/b]
    [font=Calibri","sans-serif]A dry day today for Switzerland, France and Western parts of Germany and Italy. However patchy precipitation edging south over Southern Germany and Northern Austria during the morning and early afternoon, with showers for Eastern Germany and other parts of Austria later in the day. Snow generally above 1000m. [/font]

    Freezing Level (noon) Southern Germany 600-1200m, French Alps 1400-1800m (NW to SE), Switzerland 1000-1800m (N to S), Italian Alps 800-1800m, Austria 400m-1600m ( E to SW)

    [attachment=161147:19 Feb Alps.JPG]

    [b][font=Calibri","sans-serif]Wed 20 February[/font][/b]
    Showery outbreaks continuing for Austria during the day, perhaps heavier towards SE parts during the afternoon, largely dry elsewhere over the Alps.

    Freezing Level (noon) Southern Germany 400-800m, French Alps 1000m (W)-1600m (E), Switzerland 600m (NE) -1600m (S) , Italian Alps 900-1600m, Austria 400m (NW) -1400m (SW).

    [attachment=161146:20 Feb Alps.JPG]

    [b][font=Calibri","sans-serif]Thurs 21 February to Friday 22 February[/font][/b]
    [font=Calibri","sans-serif]Largely dry for the most part but GFS goes for precipitation edging in from the west during Friday. [/font]
    [font=Calibri","sans-serif]Thursday sees freezing levels very similar to Wednesday, but Friday might be a little bit milder from the west. [/font][attachment=161150:16 Feb Alps.JPG]

    [attachment=161145:21 Feb Alps.JPG]
    [attachment=161144:22 Feb Alps.JPG]
  20. J10
    [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][b]Alps Overview[/b]

    [url="http://www.snow-forecast.com/overviews/tips_full"]http://www.snow-fore...views/tips_full[/url][/font][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]After recent milder temperatures and spring snow conditions there has been a fall in temps over recent days, and with it some fresh snowfalls which have again created great snow conditions.

    For much of the week, pressure over the Alps will be low, but with little variation in pressure, so light winds, and this should mean some hefty showers may develop more especially in the afternoon. Turning colder later in the week as winds turn round more to the North East.[/font][/size]

    [b]Synoptic Summary[/b]

    This weekend starts with High Pressure to the west of the UK running into Southern Greenland, with low pressure over much of Europe, the Alps has southerly winds but the Returning Polar Maritime air mass means 850Hpa temps around zero.

    [attachment=164667:16 Mar.JPG]

    The trend for next week is for pressure to build very strongly over Greenland and right the way through Northern Europe, reaching 1060mb over Greenland, and 1040mb Svalbard to Norway by mid next week. Low pressure remains over much of North West mainland Europe and over the Alps, with 850HPa temps generally remaining around zero.

    [attachment=164668:18 Mar.JPG]

    [attachment=164669:20 Mar.JPG]

    [attachment=164671:22 Mar.JPG]

    These generally cold conditions combined with low pressure gives the chance of further snow more especially over higher slopes.

    [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][b]Alps Detail[/b][/font][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][b]Sat 16 March[/b]

    A bitterly cold start to the weekend with freezing levels down to Sea Level. Dry for most places during the day, although some patchy precipitation into western areas by late evening.

    Freezing Level (3pm) Southern Germany 500m-1300m (E to W), French Alps 1400-1600m, Switzerland 1000-1600m, Italian Alps 600m-1200m, Austria 400m-1400m (E to W)

    [attachment=164659:16 Mar Alps.JPG][/font][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][b]Sun 17 March[/b][/font][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Dry over Eastern areas, but some patchy precipitation in some western areas continuing overnight heaviest of Italy and Switzerland border, precipitation tending to build during the day to become heavy over Eastern France, Western Germany, parts of Switzerland and Northern Italy by midnight.

    Freezing Level (3pm) Southern Germany 600-1800m (E to W), French Alps 1200-1600m, Switzerland 8000-1800m (S to N), Italian Alps 800-1200m, Austria 400m-1400m (NE to SW)[/font][/size]

    [attachment=164655:17 Mar Alps.JPG]

    [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][b]Mon 18 March[/b][/font][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Heavy precipitation overnight and into the morning for much of Northern Italy, the French Alps and also fringing SW Germany, W and S Switzerland and parts of Southern Austria. During the day the main area of precipitation moving East over Northern Italy, in places with Northern Italy and with some heavy precipitation also for southern Switzerland and Austria, by evening the eastward [progression continuing but with some precipitation possible quite widely across the Alps. Some appreciable snowfall possible during the day, possibly 15-20mm above around 1200m in Central Northern Italy and SE Switzerland mostly likely spots at the moment.

    Freezing Level (3pm) Southern Germany 600-1600m ( W to E, 2100m far East) French Alps 900-1300m (NW to SE), Switzerland 600-1500m (NW to SE), Italian Alps 900-1500m, Austria 900m (far E), 1500-1800m generally.

    [attachment=164654:18 Mar Alps.JPG][/font][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][b]Tue 19 March[/b]

    Precipitation continuing overnight largely falling as snow, this generally continuing during the day, snow generally above 1000m, and closer to 500-600 for Northern and Western areas.

    Colder than recently with Freezing Levels (3pm) Southern Germany 700-1100m, French Alps 700-1200m (NW to SE), Switzerland 700-1300m (NW to SE), Italian Alps 1100-1300m, Austria 700m-1300m (NE to SW).

    [attachment=164653:19 Mar Alps.JPG] [/font][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][b]Wed 20 March[/b]

    Bitterly cold overnight, and dry to start in most areas however, some snow (above 500m) is likely in some western areas. During the afternoon, some showers popping up again quite widely but always with the chance of some heavier precipitation towards the France Switzerland border.

    Freezing Level (noon) Southern Germany 800-1100m, French Alps 900-1200m (NW to SE), Switzerland 900-1200m (NW to SE), Italian Alps 1100-1300m, Austria 1200-1400m

    [attachment=164652:20 Mar Alps.JPG][/font][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][b]21 March and 22 March [/b]

    Looking cold to start on Thursday with some precipitation in more Northern areas, this should largely fall as snow, perhaps a bit milder weather spreading in from the west on Friday.

    [attachment=164651:21 Mar Alps.JPG]
    [attachment=164650:22 Mar Alps.JPG][/font][/size]
  21. J10
    [b]Overview[/b]

    [url="http://www.snow-forecast.com/overviews/tips_full"]http://www.snow-fore...views/tips_full[/url]
    The past week has been very cold over much of Europe and there has been fresh snow over the Alps over this period. However with winds coming from a SW direction over the weekend, tuning a bit milder at least for a time. However turning back colder again for the start-middle part of next week.

    [b]Synoptic Charts [/b]

    The charts shown are based on the GFS run of 12Hz on Friday 18th Jan.

    There is Low Pressure over Northern Scandinavia and generally over the Northern latitudes, apart from a Surface High over Greenland (1024mb) with deep low pressure over. There is low pressure over Northern America and Iceland. There is low pressure over SE Europe and the Azores High is displaced further south than normal. There is High Pressure (1024mb) centred over Western Scandinavia feeding very cold Easterlies over the UK, Northern Europe including the Alps and Southern Scandinavia. Over Western parts of the UK there is a SE feed where the cold air has met a Atlantic front, this has led to heavy snow over many parts more especially over Southern and Western parts of the UK.
    [attachment=155367:18 Jan Actual.JPG]

    [b]Sat 19 Jan [/b]
    The Scandinavian High pressure moves slightly NW strengthening height to the North of the UK still bringing cold Easterly winds over the UK, parts of Northern Europe, and Northern parts of the Alps. The other change of note is a Low Pressure system to the North of the Azores moves Eastwards into France, and to the Eastern flank of this low pressure, there are SW winds feeding in some much milder weather for Western parts of the Alps.
    [attachment=155467:19 Jan.JPG]

    [b]Sun 20 Jan [/b]
    High Pressure over Western Scandinavia, but with high pressure building towards Greenland, keeping very cold air over the UK and Scandinavia. Low Pressure over Eastern Scandinavia, Low pressure over the Atlantic, encroaching the UK from the west. The Azores high remains displaced to the south,. Low pressure over France feeding mild SW winds now over much of the Alps and into Mainland Northern Europe however a part of this system will move Eastwards towards SE England, giving some snow here.
    [attachment=155466:20 Jan.JPG]

    [b]Monday 21 Jan[/b]
    High Pressure over Western Scandinavia, forming a block up towards Greenland, An area of Low Pressure from the Atlantic pushes over Southern and Western parts of the UK, giving another potential snow event for the UK, temps over the UK, now mixed out and this also applies for much of the Western mainland Europe. Low Pressure over Eastern Europe giving NE winds for Eastern parts of the Alps, however this looks a warm feed at this stage.
    [attachment=155465:Jan 21.JPG]

    [b]Tuesday 22 Jan[/b]
    High Pressure over Western Scandinavia, still forms a block up towards Greenland, There is a main area of low pressure over the Atlantic with another offshoot close to the UK, this is set to give unsettled conditions over the UK and perhaps more snowfall. At this stage low pressure over central parts of Europe including the Alps with cool conditions here.
    [attachment=155464:22 Jan.JPG]

    [b]Wednesday 23 Jan into Friday 25 Jan[/b]
    After this stage model disagreement again, it seems likely that the High Pressure over Scandinavia will dissipate, however the ECM tends to suggest there will still be cold air over much of Europe with low pressure and an Easterly feed, this would also keep things cold for the Alps. The GFS is more progressive in bringing the Atlantic in, this would mean milder SW winds for the UK by the Friday and slowly returning milder conditions over the Alps.
    [attachment=155463:23 Jan.JPG]
    [attachment=155462:24 Jan.JPG]
    [attachment=155461:25 Jan.JPG]

    [b]Alps Detail [/b]

    [b]Sat 19 Jan [/b]
    Any precipitation in the east drying away quickly overnight, with some patchy precipitation in the far west for a time in the morning, but more general precipitation edges in the far west (Snow Level 1800m) and for Italy later (SL 200-400m).

    Freezing Levels French Alps 2100m, Switzerland 1200m (E) to 2100m (SW) Austria 0m (NE) to [s])[/s]1500m (SW), Italy 1200m generally, Germany 300m-900m
    [attachment=155528:Alps 19 Jan.JPG]

    [b]Sun 20 Jan [/b]
    Precipitation continuing across Italy in the morning (SL), but dry elsewhere to start, but spreading northwards into French Alps and Switzerland, and possibly SW Austria for the evening.
    Freezing Levels French Alps 1600-1800m, Italy 1200m (W)-2000m(E), Austria 300m (N)-2700m (Central and South) Switzerland 1500m (South Central) -2100m(E)
    [attachment=155527:Alps 20 Jan.JPG]

    [b]Monday 21 Jan[/b]
    Precipitation continuing overnight but becoming concentrated in Austria, with patchy showers elsewhere over the Alps during the day, snow levels 1000-1500m over Austria but start but dropping to around 400m-600m by evening.
    Freezing Levels French Alps 700-900m, Italy 1400m (W)-1600m(E), Austria 400m (N)-2100m and dropping during day (SE) Switzerland 700m (NW) -1600m (SE)
    [attachment=155526:Alps 21 Jan.JPG]

    [b]Tuesday 22 Jan[/b]
    Showery outbreaks of precipitation to start the day but becoming more isolated and lighter during the evening. Most of the snow will fall to resort level during the day,
    Freezing Levels French Alps 700-1000m, Italy 800m (general)-1200m(W), Austria 300m (NE)-1000m(SW) Switzerland 700m (NW) -1000m (SE)
    [attachment=155525:Alps 22 Jan.JPG]

    [b]Wednesday 23 Jan into Friday 25 Jan[/b]
    A lot of uncertainty at the moment, but probably staring quite cold for Wednesday and Thursday with maximum freezing levels of 600-900m generally, but closer to 1000-1400m for NW Italy, fringing SE Switzerland. A few showers seem likely for Wednesday but drier for Thursday.
    Perhaps a little milder on Friday with a few more in the way of showers.
  22. J10
    [b]Overview[/b]

    [url="http://www.snow-forecast.com/overviews/tips_full"]http://www.snow-fore...views/tips_full[/url]

    There was again some snow at the start of the week, but milder temperatures over recent days has led to a thaw and the best conditions over the higher slopes. However conditions are set to improve over the weekend with snow and colder temperatures pushing in from the North West. this week is set to be generally cold and turning very cold by the mid part of next week.

    [b]Synoptic Charts [/b]

    [attachment=158686:Alps 1 Feb Actual.JPG]


    [b][font=Calibri , sans-serif","serif]Sat 2 Feb[/font][/b]
    [font=Arial","sans-serif]There is a deep area of low pressure (960mb) centred over North America, and covering the North Atlantic. Further south the Azores High has ridged north over the southern Atlantic, and has starting to ridge just west over the UK. Low pressure also for much of Europe, running down from Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and an area to the SE of the Alps. A cold northerly wind over the UK and over much of Scandinavia, cool over much of Northern mainland Europe including much of the Alps. Mild over SE parts of Europe.[/font]
    [b][font=Calibri , sans-serif","serif] [/font][/b]
    [attachment=158690:2 Feb.JPG]

    [b][font=Calibri , sans-serif","serif]Sun 3 Feb[/font][/b]
    [font=Arial","sans-serif]Remaining rather unsettled over much of the North Atlantic with low pressure dominating. The Azores High has ridged further North East, with West to North west winds over the Atlantic and over the UK, where there is a mild flow. Remaining cold and unsettled over Scandinavia, cold over much of the Alps with a NE winds and the eastern edge of the Azores High.[/font][font=Calibri , sans-serif","serif] [/font]
    [attachment=158689:3 Feb.JPG]

    [b][font=Calibri , sans-serif","serif]Monday 4 Feb[/font][/b]
    Not that much change in the general pattern with low pressure over the North Atlantic and into Scandinavia. However further south west the Azores High ridges to the North West giving a NW feed over the Atlantic and into the UK and the Alps, feeding in a Polar Maritime airflow, cool to start of the UK and the Alps, turning colder in the UK later.
    [attachment=158688:4 Feb.JPG]

    [b][font=Calibri , sans-serif","serif]Tuesday 5 Feb [/font][/b]
    [font=Calibri , sans-serif","serif]A surface High develops over Greenland and with the Azores High ridging north gives a temporary block over the Atlantic. There is low pressure over North America and also over much of Europe, this will give a cold NW flow over the UK, with the potential of wintry or snow showers over windward coasts, this airflow moderated by the time it reaches the Alps, but still cool here. [/font]
    [attachment=158683:5 Feb.JPG]

    [b]Wednesday 6 Feb[/b]
    [font=Calibri , sans-serif","serif]Wednesday sees the whole pattern edge further east, a cold northerly flow still over the UK, with still the potential for wintry or snow showers over the UK [/font][font=Calibri , sans-serif","serif][font=Calibri , sans-serif","serif] over windward coasts[/font]. The cold air is likely to have pushed further south into Europe and into the Alps with low pressure to the east. [/font]Low pressure still over America, with the Azores High starting to ridge closer to the UK from the south west.
    [attachment=158681:6 Feb.JPG]

    [b][font=Calibri , sans-serif","serif]Thursday 7 Feb to Friday 8 Feb[/font][/b]
    A little bit of uncertainty towards the weekend, but the general theme is for the Azores high ridging closer to the UK, and introducing a little but less cold or maybe even mild air over the UK. Looking to remain unsettled over Europe and still looking cold over the Alps with a wind direction probably from a general northerly direction.
    [attachment=158679:7 Feb.JPG]
    [attachment=158677:8 Feb.JPG]


    [b][font=Calibri","sans-serif]Sat 2 Feb[/font][/b]
    [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Heavy precipitation is edging South East over the Alps overnight and into Saturday, by 6am, there is heavy precipitation over Switzerland, the French Alps, fringing NW Italy, parts of Southern Germany and W Austria,. Snow levels 700m back edge of front to 1300m front edge of front. During the afternoon the front pushing away quickly through the Alps into Italy and Croatia, but still some precipitation for much of the Alps, moderate over parts of Austria, snow levels 600m-800m. Patchy snow continuing during the evening to increasingly low levels. [/font]

    [size=4]Maximum Freezing levels (noon) around 700-900m French Alps, 600m-1000m Switzerland, around 700m Southern Germany, Austria 700m (N) to 1300m (S), Italian Alps 1000-1400m.[/size]
    [attachment=158700:Alps 2 Feb.JPG]

    [b][font=Calibri","sans-serif]Sun 3 Feb[/font][/b]
    [size=4]Moderate snow continuing for a time overnight but becoming increasingly patchy as the day proceeds and largely dry in most places by mid afternoon, with a lot of cold and sunny weather likely. [/size]
    [size=4]Maximum Freezing levels (noon) around 600m French Alps, 500m-1000m Switzerland, around 400-600m Southern Germany, Austria 300m (N) to 700m (SE), Italian Alps 700-1000m[/size].
    [attachment=158699:Alps 3 Feb.JPG]

    [b][font=Calibri","sans-serif]Monday 4 Feb[/font][/b]
    [size=4]Further precipitation edging down form the North during the early morning reaching all of the Alps except most of Italy and SE Austria. By 6am, generally moderate and snow to most resort levels. [/size]
    [size=4]The precipitation continuing through the day in the same sorts of areas, before slowly fading during the evening, snow becoming confined to middle slopes up during the day as it is milder than recent days. [/size]
    [size=4]Maximum Freezing levels (noon) around 1400-1600m French Alps, 1400m-2000m Switzerland, around 1000-1600m Southern Germany, Austria 1000m (NE) to 1800m (SW), Italian Alps 800m (E) to 2000m (NW)[/size]
    [attachment=158698:Alps 4 Feb.JPG]
    [b][font=Calibri","sans-serif]Tuesday 5 Feb [/font][/b]

    [size=4]Dry in the south to start, but patchy precipitation in Northern areas, during the afternoon this developing into a heavier burst of precipitation for the French Alps, NW Switzerland and SW Germany. By evening this moving eastwards, with some heavy precipitation over much of the western half of the Alps and Western Austria. Snow levels dropping through the day around 1400m to start to around 800m by 9pm. [/size]
    [size=4]Maximum Freezing levels (noon) around 1400-1600m French Alps, 1200m-1800m Switzerland, around 1200-1600m Southern Germany, Austria 1200m (NE) to 1600m (SW), Italian Alps 1200m (E) to 1600m (NW)[/size]
    [attachment=158697:Alps 5 Feb.JPG]

    [b][font=Calibri","sans-serif]Wednesday 6 Feb[/font][/b]

    [size=4]Precipitation (largely snow) to start over many parts of the Alps, but becoming confined to SE and Eastern parts by afternoon, however some heavy snow is possible here. This moving away later, but snow showers possible over the Alps later in the day. [/size]
    [size=4]Maximum Freezing levels (noon) around 200-400m French Alps, 200m-400m Switzerland, around 200-400m Southern Germany, Austria 200m (NW) to 600m (SE), Italian Alps 400m to 800m [/size]
    [size=4][attachment=158696:Alps 6 Feb.JPG][/size]

    [b][font=Calibri","sans-serif]Thursday 7 Feb to Friday 8 Feb[/font][/b]
    [size=4]A cold end to the week seems likely with freezing levels close to Wednesday’s levels at this stage, further snow is possible on Thursday but generally moderate at most, but Friday looks rather dry.[/size]

    [size=4][attachment=158695:Alps 7 Feb.JPG][/size]
    [size=4][attachment=158694:Alps 8 Feb.JPG][/size]
  23. J10
    [b][font=Arial","sans-serif]Alps Summary[/font][/b]

    http://www.snow-forecast.com/overviews/tips_full Excellent skiing conditions remain, however milder temps in recent day mean that the best conditions are over higher slope. Settled water means quite a bit of sunshine over the weekend with some rising temps, conditions better for skiing than for long term snow retention.

    [b]Synoptic Summary[/b]

    The weekend starts with high Pressure over the UK, 1028mb, with an Easterly flow over the Alps, slowly over the weekend the High pressure starts to edge further to the South and East, with the winds over the Alps starting to veering more to the South/ South Easterly.

    [attachment=162747:2 Mar.JPG]

    [attachment=162746:4 Mar.JPG]

    This process continuing into next week, with High pressure over Eastern Europe and milder Southerly or South Easterly winds over the Alps.

    By the end of next week, winds more southerly and pressure lowering so more unsettled conditions over the Alps, with the heaviest of any precipitation always towards more southern areas, more sheltered northern areas staying drier.

    [attachment=162745:6 Mar.JPG]

    [attachment=162744:8 Mar.JPG]

    [font=Arial","sans-serif][b][font=Arial","sans-serif]Sat 2 March[/font][/b][/font]
    [font=Arial","sans-serif]A Mostly dry start to Saturday with Easterly winds on the South Eastern flank over High Pressure centred over the UK. It should be very cold over the Northern parts of the Alps, a bit milder to the South. The settled theme continues through Saturday and it should be dry throughout. [/font]

    [font=Arial","sans-serif]Freezing Level (noon) Southern Germany 600-1200m, French Alps 1000-2200m (NW to SE), Switzerland 800-2200m (N to S), Italian Alps 1000-2200m (E to W), Austria 600m-2000m (NE to SW)[/font]

    [attachment=162743:2 Mar Alps.JPG]

    [font=Arial","sans-serif][b][font=Arial","sans-serif]Sun 3 March[/font][/b]
    Again rather settled with SE to E winds, with High Pressure over the UK and NW Europe. Rather dry and settled but slightly less cold with the change in wind direction.

    Freezing Level (noon) Southern Germany 1200-2000m (E to W), French Alps and Switzerland 2000-2000m, Italian Alps 1800-2000m, Austria 1000m-2000m (NE to SW)[/font]

    [attachment=162742:3 Mar Alps.JPG]

    [font=Arial","sans-serif][b][font=Arial","sans-serif]Mon 4 March[/font][/b][/font]
    [font=Arial","sans-serif]Remaining mostly settled with Southerly winds as the High Pressure moves to the east. So dry and with the change in wind direction, slightly milder again.

    Freezing Level (noon) Southern Germany 1800-2400m, French Alps 2200-2400m, Switzerland 2000-2400m (generally), Italian Alps 1800-2200m, Austria 700m-2400m (E to W)[/font]

    [attachment=162741:4 Mar Alps.JPG]


    [font=Arial","sans-serif][b][font=Arial","sans-serif]Tue 5 March[/font][/b][/font]
    [font=Arial","sans-serif]Again southerly winds as the High Pressure pushes progressively further east over Europe, however this does mean lower pressure can start to edge into the west. Mostly dry to start, but some precipitation for the evening for France and North West Italy.

    Freezing Level (noon) Southern Germany 2600-2800m, French Alps 1800-2600m (SW to NE), Switzerland 1600-2600m (S to N), Italian Alps 1600-2000m, Austria 1400m (South Central) and 2000-2400m elsewhere[/font]

    [attachment=162740:5 Mar Alps.JPG]

    [font=Arial","sans-serif][b][font=Arial","sans-serif]Wed 6 March[/font][/b][/font]

    [font=Arial","sans-serif]Dry to start over most areas, but overnight precipitation has moved into Northern Italy and fringes southern parts of both Switzerland and Austria. This precipitation largely stays in the same place during the afternoon, so the only appreciable snowfall likely in Italy above around 1200-1400m. Dry for the French Alps, Germany and most of Switzerland and Austria. [/font]
    [font=Arial","sans-serif]Freezing Level (noon) Southern Germany 2600-2800m, French Alps 1600-2500m (SW to NE), Switzerland 1500-2600m (S to N), Italian Alps 1400-1800m, Austria 1600m (South Central) and 2400-3300m elsewhere[/font]

    [attachment=162739:6 Mar Alps.JPG]

    [b][font=Arial","sans-serif]7 March and 8 March [/font][/b]

    [font=Arial","sans-serif]Southerly winds looking likely towards the end of next week, with some lowish pressure and such looking mostly unsettled with the chance of some precipitation at times. The heaviest of any precipitation always towards the southern half of the Alps, looking a bit drier further north. [/font]
    [font=Arial","sans-serif]Freezing Levels for Thursday and Friday, not showing that much of a spread, generally in the range 1800-2200m [/font]

    [attachment=162738:7 Mar Alps.JPG] [attachment=162737:8 Mar Alps.JPG]
  24. J10
    [b]Alps / Europe Past week [/b]

    The forecast last week suggested a rather variable week with fluctuating freezing levels and snow conditions.

    [b]This week for the Alps in Summary - [/b]The trend towards milder weather increasing for the start of the forecast period, and with 850HPA temps of over +10c at times, no surprise that it will be very mild or even warm for a time. However it is set to turn much colder on Christmas Day and at this stage fresh snowfalls are expected in many areas, especially over the medium/higher slopes. Thereafter quite cool weather with further precipitation, this largely falling as snow on higher slopes, perhaps rain at some resort levels.

    [b]Synoptic Analysis[/b]

    Starting with today's chart for a base point.
    [attachment=149717:Alps 21 Dec.JPG]

    [b]Sat 22 December -[/b]
    The seemingly omnipresent Russian High is still in place (1044mb), this gives very cold weather for Russia Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, not quite so cold as you move further west. there is low pressure over Svalbard (988mb), with a surface High Pressure over Greenland (1036mb). There is High pressure over the western half of the Atlantic. Over the main part of the Atlantic there is a deep area of Low Pressure (980mb). Finally the Azores High is over Iberia and much of Southern Europe. This means a very mild flow into much of Western Europe, Due to the very mild air, this gives further very heavy rainfall for the UK. The Alps not for the first time in-between the weather systems, mild for western areas, cold further east but turning milder across the Alps.

    [attachment=149716:Alps 22 Dec.JPG]

    [b]Sun 23 December -[/b]
    Since Saturday the whole pattern moves further east by around by several hundred miles. The Russian High Pressure a bit further east (1036mb) so still very cold over Russia and Scandinavia, deepening low pressure over Svalbard, with High Pressure building further over Greenland, the High Pressure block slight further east than yesterday. Still low pressure over the Atlantic, 980mb over Northern Scotland another centre 984mb over the Mid Atlantic. Not quite as unsettled over the UK, W/SW winds over the UK and Northern Mainland Europe. generally mild over the UK, very mild over much of Northern and Western Europe, including the Western Alps, while mild over Eastern Alps and generally much of Eastern Europe. The Azores High ridges into Iberia and gives some warm air here (+10 850Hpa)

    [attachment=149715:Alps 23 Dec.JPG]

    [b]Mon 24 December -[/b] The Russian High continuing to edge east, with the very cold air continuing to edge Northwards and Eastwards. Low Pressure over the UK (980mb), cool/mild here, with extremely cold Northerly winds to the North west of the UK with High Pressure over Greenland. To The South East of the UK, South West winds over much of Europe, with very mild or mild winds for most of mainland Europe including the Alps.

    [attachment=149714:Alps 24 Dec.JPG]

    [b]Tue 25 December -[/b] A continuation of the South eastward movement of the pattern. Surface High Pressure (1052mb) over Greenland, Deep low pressure over Svalbard through the UK and Scandinavia, pushes down some extremely cold air southwards. North West winds over the UK and North West Europe, cold over Northern UK, cool for much of the UK, mild over of Northern Europe. the very mild air in the far South East of the UK.
    [attachment=149713:Alps 25 Dec.JPG]

    [b]Wed 26 December -[/b] The Russian High for the first time in ages, largely out of picture. again very cold over Svalbard, but with more a zonal west to east flow further south, so the very cold air never reaching the UK. A generally flat pattern over much of Europe as well, with the Azores high in place. Very cold over Scandinavia, cold over Northern Europe, cool over much of Europe.

    [attachment=149712:Alps 26 Dec.JPG]

    [b]Towards Weekend -[/b] A bit of uncertainty at the moment, a Greenland High seems likely as does very cold unsettled air over the Svalbard areas, possibly again it looks as if the coldest air remains trapped over High latitudes.

    The Current guidance is for. Low pressure over the Atlantic, with the UK on the South Eastern edge, as for much of Europe so mild SW winds with a Bartlettesque High Generally the further east you go, the colder it is, especially into Scandinavia and NW Russia

    [attachment=149711:Alps 28 Dec.JPG]

    [b]Alps Detail[/b]
    [Specific forecast for Russbach = A]

    [b]Sat 22 December -[/b] Rather day to start mostly but some moderate precipitation for the early hours for NE Austria, however more general precipitation pushing from the North West into the evening into French Alps, much of Switzerland and W Germany. Freezing Levels 1800m-2100m (west). 1500m-1800m (central), 900-1200m (Austria inc A], however turning milder during the evening, 2400-2700m (west), Snow level for evening precipitation 2200-2500m.

    [attachment=149725:Alps 22 Dec b.JPG]

    [b]Sun 23 December -[/b] Precipitation moving Eastwards for Northern parts of the Alps during the morning, with 6 hours of precipitation for most areas, and bring over Austria by noon. Freezing Levels 3000m-3500m (west). 2500m-3000m (central and West Austria inc A), 2000-2500m (East Austria), Unfortunately the very mild air, means snow will be reserved for the highest slopes. The Precipitation will continue in Austria only slowly away for Eastern Austria later.) Also it could be warm in places with the foehn effect.

    [attachment=149724:Alps 23 Dec b.JPG]

    [b]Mon 24 December -[/b] A largely dry day, with only some light showers under High Pressure, probably not amounting to that much. Freezing Levels 3000m-3400m (generally inc A). Locally a bit lower aorund 2500m. Also mild overnight as well.

    [attachment=149723:Alps 24 Dec b.JPG]

    [b]Tue 25 December -[/b] A cold front edges in from the North West during the morning, reaching Switzerland. Western Austria, SW Germany, and the France Alps by noon, with the heaviest precipitation to the eastern end of this, Freezing levels, falling from the west, North and West 1200m-1500m, further SE, 1500-1800mm [inc A], to South East parts of the Alps 1800-2400m , slightly higher to the far East of Austria.The precipitation edging further east during the evening, into Austria and as it turns colder from the NW, snow levels down to around 1000m. Further showers into France and Western Switzerland

    So in summary a mild start to the day, but turning much colder, with fresh snow for much of the Alps by the end of Christmas day especially over medium/higher slopes.

    [attachment=149722:Alps 25 Dec b.JPG]

    [b]Wed 26 December -[/b] A bit more unsettled with some showers or more general periods of precipitation during the day. Perhaps more in the way of frontal precipitation in western areas again later, Freezing levels, North and West 1100m-1400m [Inc A], 1400-1600mm for more central areas, 1600-1800m , for parts of Austria.

    [attachment=149721:Alps 26 Dec b.JPG]

    [b]Towards Weekend -[/b] Looking generally unsettled with further periods of precipitation, more especially toward the western half of the Alps, Freezing levels 1400-1800m generally on Thursday, at this stage on Friday colder towards the North east, Freezing levels 800-1200m, closer to 1600-2000m in South West.

    [attachment=149720:Alps 28 Dec b.JPG]

    [b]Outlook - [/b]At this stage a South west wind setting up under a Bartlett high, soi Freezing levels rising once more.
  25. J10
    [size=4][font=arial][b]Overview[/b]

    Due to other commitments over coming days, I will do this blog early this week, it will not go in the usual detail in relation to synoptics, but there will be a full Alps summary covering the weekend and early into next week, there will be an additional blog in midweek to cover the period to the following weekend.[/font][/size]

    [url="http://www.snow-forecast.com/overviews/tips_full"]http://www.snow-fore...views/tips_full[/url]

    The weather this week has generally been sunny with low temperatures, perfect for those on a half term skiing holiday, a bit more snow expected over the weekend, more especially over the East, but slowly turning a little bit milder from the East into next week.

    [size=4][font=arial][b]Synoptic Overview[/b][/font][/size]

    A very cold East to North Easterly breeze is over the Alps and North Western Europe tomorrow associated with High Pressure over Scandinavia.

    [attachment=161897:22 Feb (Late).JPG]
    [attachment=161896:23 Feb.JPG]

    this weather pattern continues over the weekend, however the cold uppers of -5c to -13c slowly get replaced by less cold air from the East with the wind more of a North to North Easterly by the end of Sunday., however still with High Pressure dominating over Scandinavia. There is fairly low pressure over the Alps, so there is always the chance of showers, more especially over Eastern areas.

    [attachment=161895:24 Feb.JPG]
    [attachment=161894:25 Feb.JPG]

    Into next week, and the wind direction reverts back into a East/North Easterly, with uppers temps around freezing, for much of North Western Europe, closer to +5c over Austria causing freezing levels over the Alps to rise.

    [attachment=161893:26 Alps.JPG]

    [size=4][font=arial][b]Alps Summary[/b]

    [b]Fri 22 February[/b][/font][/size]
    [size=4][font=arial]A very cold night over the Alps, with some snow in places, more especially towards the East and South East. Patchy precipitation continuing over Austria into the morning, becoming moderate towards SE Austria during the afternoon, with some patchy precipitation over other central and eastern parts of the Alps.[/font][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial]Freezing Level (noon) Southern Germany 0-200m, French Alps 200-1000m (NW to SE), Switzerland 0-800m (NW to S), Italian Alps 200-800m, Austria 400m-800m (generally)[/font][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial][attachment=161890:22 Feb Alps New.JPG] [/font][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial][b]Sat 23 February[/b][/font][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial]Very cold again to start, mostly dry but some heavy precipitation for the far East of Austria, pushing Northwards.[/font][/size]
    [size=4][font=arial]Again showery outbreaks developing across the Alps during the afternoon, with more general snowfall pushing in for much of Central and Eastern Austria overnight. [/font][/size]
    [size=4][font=arial]Morning freezing level generally at sea level, Freezing Level (noon) Southern Germany 200-400m, French Alps 200-1000m (NW to SE), Switzerland 200-800m (NW to S), Italian Alps 400-1000m, Austria 400m-1000m (NE to SW)[/font][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial][attachment=161891:23 Feb Alps.JPG][/font][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial][b]Sun 24 February[/b][/font][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial]Some precipitation is possible widely across the Alps for the morning, initially concentrated towards SE areas. This pattern continuing towards the afternoon, with moderate precipitation expected for SE Switzerland, Northern Italy, and SW Austria. Showers precipitation possibly quite widely over the Alps for the evening

    Freezing Level (noon) Southern Germany 200-400m, French Alps 200-800m (NW to SE), Switzerland 200-800m (NW to S), Italian Alps 400-1200m, Austria 400m-1400m (NE to SW)[/font][/size]
    [size=4][font=arial]Generally a North West South East split and turning milder from the South East. [/font][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial][attachment=161888:24 Feb Alps.JPG]


    [b]Mon 25 February[/b][/font][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial]Showers overnight continuing into Monday, however these becoming increasing scattered over Western parts, but conversely some may be sharp in places for more astern areas, more especially over Southern Austria. [/font][/size]
    [size=4][font=arial]Generally milder than recent days with Freezing Level (noon) Southern Germany 600-1200m, French Alps 600-1000m (NW to SE), Switzerland 600-1200m (NW to S), Italian Alps 800-1400m, Austria 1000m-1400m[/font][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial][attachment=161886:25 Feb Alps.JPG]

    [b]Tue 26 February[/b][/font][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial]Again a pattern of some precipitation over the Alps, more especially [/font][/size][size=4][font=arial]towards the south during the morning, is becoming more extensive widely into the afternoon, before dying away again later.

    Generally milder than recent days with Freezing Level (noon) Southern Germany 800-1400m, French Alps 800-1600m (NW to SE), Switzerland 800-1800m (NW to S), Italian Alps 1400-1800m, Austria 800m-1800m[/font][/size]

    [size=4][font=arial][attachment=161885:26 Feb Alps.JPG] [/font][/size]
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