A turbulent week in the Alps, with more snow on the way

It’s been a big weather week in the Alps, as Europe finally gets some significant snowstorms. The biggest snow of the season hit before the weekend, a metre falling in places (Val d’Isère pictured above, 12 March), before higher temperatures arrived causing a rising snowline (2,000m+) and heavier snow. With it came wind. Temperatures recorded today, Monday 13 March, are high, but more snow is on the way.

Kicking off this week, valley towns might have woken up to a layer of fresh snow but they’re also witnessing spring temperatures (Innsbruck 18° / Chamonix 10° / Aosta 16° / Le Chable below Verbier 16° / Interlaken 17°). The northern Alps are experiencing a Foehn – a warm southerly wind – but it’s to blow through quickly and snow will follow.

For Tuesday 14 March, WePowder predicts a cold front and serious snowfall in areas:

• Chamonix could see up to 80cm, even 90cm in the Argentière ski area
• Around 60cm in Avoriaz in the Portes du Soleil
• 50cm in Megève
• 50cm Arc 1950
• 50cm La Clusaz
• Arlberg up to 48cm (the rest of Austria considerably less)
• Kaprun 57cm
• Laax, Davos, Mürren around 55cm
• Engelberg 67cm

The most snow is forecast for the northern Alps – the Haute Savoie and western Valais. From the Écrins to the Arlberg between 40 and 50 centimetres of snow could fall in higher up mountain areas. Generally in Austria, we can expect a little over 20cm to fall in the Tirol and Salzburgerland ( – we’re checking WePowder for snow intel and flake news).

The temperature across the Alps will yoyo throughout the week. Wind is in the forecast, so wind slab is a potential issue. And to precede this new snow, remember that a load of fresh stuff on top of what we’ve been served this season could make for sketchy conditions, off-piste. Take the proper precautions regarding avalanche danger.

It has also, as you might have witnessed, been snowing in the UK. Here’s Sheffield-born freeskier Paddy Graham making the most of it: