Huge snow system lasting well into the weekend - a fresh metre of snow is highly likely for many alpine resorts

The weather pattern is finally bringing us a series of cold fronts.

When the cold air arrives on Wednesday we are set for day after day of snow. This is the big one - a metre of snow over about four to five days is highly likely for many alpine resorts.

This set up has most of the key ingredients:

• high pressure has moved out of the way and the next high is so far back to the west it is off the edge of the map, ensuring there is nothing stopping these waves of instability from crossing the southeast for an extended period of time
• there is great upper level support - the upper atmosphere is prime to let these waves of instability roll through
• once the cold air arrives on Wednesday it isn't going anywhere for a while - and it all culminates in a sharp cold outbreak later on Friday into Saturday that should ensure not just snow about alpine elevations, but low levels as well

Much of the feed of tropical moisture passes through before the cold air arrives unfortunately, but while the air isn't as moist when its cold enough for snow, the instability and longevity will ensure we get great snow totals.