The alps are looking amazing after this week's storm... and there is a sneaky little system on the horizon to deliver a top up.
High pressure is moving in to end the week, letting the cloud break up and winds ease. This high isn't actually moving to the east though - which is great for snowmaking as the nights will stay cold enough, but it may keep it rather cloudy/foggy for southern areas.
Fun fact -> When the centre of a high moves to the east of the alps the atmosphere warms at mountain level first, while the valleys get the freezing nights. When the centre is back to the west the alps are still in the cold zone.
The high is big and strong, but not incredibly strong - and there is a new cold front brewing to our southwest.
This front should race up towards the alps on Saturday, with a lovely pool of cold air. We won't get the huge snowfalls that something like this could bring unencumbered, as the high is in the way, but it should be a nice light fall - spreading through on Sunday and Monday. Snow levels look to be around the 1300 metre level at this stage, potentially lower at times (cold, but not the low level snow seen in the last system).
That's just the first part - there is more to come.
This cold pool will be key in providing the energy needed for a low to form off the NSW coast next week. Impacts will depend on how close to the coast the low is (and how long it remains there for) but this is one to watch as it has the potential to be a big one. Not unusual as east coast lows are typical at this time of year.
In the alps we may have enough of the good ingredients to help us out.
The cold pool brings a shot of cold air, and the low off the coast lets tropical moisture wrap around and be turned into heavy precipitation. If the low is just off the NSW south coast then the alps can do very well from this situation (if there is enough cold air) - but at this stage it looks to be a central to north coast feature, with the alps on the fringe and missing the heaviest precipitation.
With these systems there is always the fear that the cold air will run out. At this stage it looks like it will hold and remain firm - but always keep that in the back of your mind.
-> On Tuesday and Wednesday there should be snow, mainly over eastern alpine resorts, with the better falls for those that face south/southeast. If the low comes close there is huge snow, if it's further away we won't see much.
Check the latest snow forecast here.
