After months of anticipation, the first major storm of the winter is set to hit the Alps this weekend.

(source: snow-forecast.com)

Now isn’t that a beautiful picture? These are exactly the colors that European skiers have been waiting to see in the weather forecast, because they mean snow is coming – lots of it.

Forecasters are calling for a cold front to reach the Alps by this Friday, bringing wind, cooler temperatures and lots of precipitation. With the freezing level expected to plunge below 1000m, it’s welcome news to both ski resorts and their clients, who’ve been waiting impatiently for the mountains to finally turn their winter white. After all, with ski season rapidly approaching, most webcams in the Alps are still looking something like this:

(source: Flims Laax Falera)

Of course as we all know, forecasts more than a few days in advance can be notoriously fickle… so keep your fingers crossed and do your snow dance!