gareth moo

Sliding Low from the North West could be good if angle and trajectory are favourable. The forecast lows on Sunday / Monday looked a little too North for us to be on the cold Northern side therefore suffering from warm sector air. Ideally we want to see that carried further South by the jet before tracking Easterly putting us firmly on the cold side. If the Atlantic blocking ridge moves a little further West it will put us in the firing line for sliders like this, channel lows or NW steamer opportunities. Hoping for upgrades ahead of next week!

Magic ECM output this evening showing decent frontal snow for Wales next weekend. Fingers crossed for upgrades because its marginal as always!

Some great charts showing up for next week. Colder and colder air flooding in and plenty of instability too. Lamp posts at the ready?!

Growing excitement in the model thread today. (They'll probably be back to wrist slitting tomorrow!) Looks like some kind of Atlantic block is on the cards for this weekend onwards. Some early talk of Northerly air and white stuff. Could this be the year when we are eventually 'the right side of marginal' in Wales? Time will tell.

Incredible and weird sky this morning out there. So dark. All building and street lights piercing through the gloom at 10.30am but no rainfall around. Guess it must be the result of Ophelia and maybe some Saharan sand thrown in the mix from the Southerly flow?

Jealous! x100. Remember what's always socially acceptable - "No friends on a powder day!"

Thanks for the update. Looks amazing. Hope the sun shines for you later in the week but stay safe. I would expect avalanche warning upgrades to level 5 tomorrow!!

How's today's storm developing there Malcolm? My friend who is living in Les Arcs has reported an almighty dumping with thunder snow! Radar looks interesting!

No cherry picking at all lol. I'm not going there anyway. Just pointing out to the good folks in here that some areas are going to do very well in the next week. On the topic of Vaujany, it's a great village that has expanded hugely in the last few years but has kept it's traditional feel. I've been going there for 20+ years and will be back at Easter for a fortnight with both skis and MTB. Outstanding ESF ski school and regular open races (for kids and adults) with coaching if that's your bag.

Mid station forecast. Yes very high altitude at 2700m. Top of Glacier Express gondola probably. Top of Klein Matt lift is 3820m though and showing even more!

Wow! The GFS data on Snow forecast.com has somewhere over 200cm forecast for Zermatt in the next 6 days.

100% spring conditions in Alpe d'Huez this week. Poor snow base has bare patches showing even at 2000m. Without significant natural snowfall within the next few weeks, there is little chance of them making it to what is a late Easter.

Anyone on here in or between Builth Wells and Hay on Wye? There's elevation there, its inland and in the path of the best streamer so far. Would imagine that it's going to be pretty good viewing up that way?

I take it back. GFS has just thrown us a Thursday afternoon and evening surprise. PPN pushed further north therefore rain turning readily to snow, particularly in SE Wales.

Would be great to see some snow this week but next week is where its at folks. Battleground potential for sure. More output needed but will be exciting to watch it unfold.

Just a minor 110cm of snow forecast for Avoriaz in the next 5 days or so !!!!!!!! (Based on GFS precip charts!)

Great choice- certainly a more authentic Alpine village. Love it down in Le Brev between the trees. Snow fortunes looking better too! P.S. The bar next to the gondola just over the river bridge on the left has top quality vin chaud!

Yes Keith. Things firming up for potential late next week into weekend. It's only potential as yet and as always since 2010 'Marginal' is the key word. However, we often do well from a NW flow - streamer time maybe??

Yep. I think that 30cm was a snow-starved exaggeration although there may have been something more reasonable on the Aiguille Rouge. He's been there over a month and hasn't been off piste yet!! Tuesday looks like the next good opportunity for Savoie and Isere. Fingers crossed.

Tignes is a fantastic all round resort with a huge variety of skiing - with some amazing off piste areas if that's what your looking for. I also agree with Malcolm that Le Lac, although not pretty, is the best place to stay if you want access to the whole area including Val d'Isere. La Folie Douce is completely mental and always worth a visit especially after 3pm when it really starts bouncing. (I have also paid a visit to the equally insane Alpe d'Huez and Val Thorens branches of the chain). However, if you're staying in Le Lac don't be late back to the Tommeuses chair as it closes at 4.45 I think. The black run back home in the twilight with a few beverages on board is generally quite 'eventful.' Tignes is an open bowl area so visibility can be compromised in poor weather although there are some lovely tree lined runs down towards La Brevieres and on the lower slopes in Val at La Daile, Fornet and Solaise. Highly recommended - and the central private accommodation agency is super efficient via their website if you want to go independenly.

Good news. 30cm of fresh snow reported from my friend who is doing a season in Les Arcs. Don't know where this came from because the models were looking pretty dry.

Patience. It's coming.... Loads of background signals and proper cold now knocking upon the European door. If the deep cold invades Europe, we can pick up a cold source from an additional bearing. Just need to get rid of this stubborn lingering HP to our South.

Eastern Austria is the place to be currently. World Cup from Semmering held in blizzard conditions this week. Looking ahead, it seems the big computers have sniffed out changing fortunes for other parched Alpine areas. Fingers crossed for all January skiers.

Bonkers charts from the GFS. Nearly all the UK in minus double figures daytime surface air temps!! Surely it won't happen Andy????? !!!!!!!

You know that something is afoot out there in FI when the usual posters in the Model thread start spitting their dummies out and disparaging each other! Nonetheless a new year packed with cold potential on the way.