Cold slowly easing.

General situation

The extreme cold is now loosening its grip but it is worth noting that this has been the most severe March freeze in the Alps since 1971! A little snow is expected over north-eastern parts this weekend before high pressure moves in from the west with a taste of Spring likely for most by the middle of next week.

Met office pressure charts: click to enlarge

Forecast

Austria

A few snow showers are possible in the eastern Alps early on Friday, but these will clear with all areas enjoying a dry day with plenty of sunshine. It will still be cold, but temperatures will be well up on recent days. Saturday will be mostly dry with sunny spells but a few snow showers (500m) are possible in the northern Alps later. Sunday will be cloudier with further snow flurries (500m) across northern parts. It will stay dry with sunny spells in the central and southern Austrian Alps.

France

Friday will be dry with sunny spells everywhere. It will remain cold for March but not nearly as bitter as earlier this week with freezing levels approaching 1000m. Saturday will see some cloud at times across the far north of the Alps, but it should stay dry, with central and southern Alpine regions seeing plenty of sun. It will remain on the cold side. Sunday will again be dry with a little cloud in the far north, but plenty of sunshine for most regions.

Italy

Friday may see a little early cloud across the Dolomites, then all regions will be dry with plenty of sunshine though it will continue to feel rather cold. Saturday will continue to feel fresh but it will remain mostly fine with long sunny spells. On Sunday a little cloud may again affect the Dolomites, especially close to the Austrian border, otherwise it will stay dry with sunny spells right across the Italian Alps.

Switzerland

Friday should be sunny, but rather cold for most of Switzerland with just a little cloud at first in the north-east. Saturday will be another dry day with just a little cloud across the northern fringes of the Alps but plenty of sunshine for most areas. Sunday may see the odd snow flurry in the far east, otherwise most regions will be dry with the best of any sunshine in the south and west.

Outlook

Monday and Tuesday may see a little snow (600m) in Austria and eastern Switzerland. Otherwise most regions will be dry with the best of the sunshine in the south. Mid-week an increase in temperature and more general sunshine are likely, with spring-like conditions expected in many resorts.

Next update on Monday 15th.