Rain, snow and their quantities
The initial northerly flow will only have a minor impact on the main Alpine ridge, with only around 20 cm expected at high altitudes in the western Alps. However, the SLF has issued a situation-related avalanche bulletin. From today, Thursday, the leeward cyclone "Anett" will be dumping. The models have been predicting over a metre of fresh snow for some time, with a snow line of 2000 metres and less. Today's in-situ observations (webcams) show snowfall at around 1500 metres in nearby South Tyrol. The DWD also confirms the models in its synoptic forecast, with snowfall of over one metre expected in the Eastern Alps over the next few days. Of course, there will also be a lot of rain, over 300 litres per square metre, with the maximum north of the Eastern Alps, as the path of the depression will take the precipitation around the eastern flank of the Alps. The snow line will remain stable at below 1500 metres up to and including Saturday, and will certainly drop even lower, perhaps to below 1000 metres in the potholes. Anett will waft around with a core in south-east Europe until next week and will continue to produce precipitation, but will also warm up and therefore snow less and less than it rains.
In any case, there will be a very solid base in the high Eastern Alps, which, although coming very early in the year, should already allow for some useful activities. We know how important a heavy first snowfall is for avoiding old snow problems, and I'm looking forward to conditions reports from the eastern edge of the Alps! Nevertheless, my chilli plants on my terrace are still wishing for more sunshine than rain.
