Starting Thursday afternoon , the first snowflakes are expected to fall in the Alps and southwestern France , particularly in the Pyrénées-Occidentales and the Ax 3 Domaines ski resort .
Between 1 and 2 cm of snow are expected in these areas above 1,800 meters , with accumulations forecast for the evening.
“The cold front will move down to the south of the country, bringing snowfall to mid-altitudes from Thursday evening onwards,” explains La Chaîne Météo.
Up to 7 cm of snow locally in the Pyrenees
The forecast is becoming more precise and confirms an intensification of the phenomenon overnight from Thursday to Friday.
The higher elevations of the Pyrenees could receive up to 7 cm of fresh snow locally, while the Alps will also benefit from significant snowfall.
At higher altitudes, particularly above 2,000 meters , 50 centimeters of snow could accumulate on windward peaks.
These first snowfalls are excellent news for ski resorts, which see it as an opportunity to open some slopes earlier . This layer of snow will replenish the stocks of artificial snow produced upstream.v