Meteorologists Predict: What Kind of Winter Awaits Europe?

Meteorologists and Accuweather experts present a European winter forecast according to which the central part of the continent will be hit by short and strong storms. Storm fronts will move from west to east, squeezed between cold air in Scandinavia and milder air near the Mediterranean, reports the Patria News Agency.

The fiercest storms are expected in the areas of central France, northern Spain across the Alps into Eastern Europe, while severe weather should spare western Germany, northern France, and a large part of the United Kingdom. According to meteorologist Alan Reppert, "The United Kingdom and Ireland will avoid the worst storm impacts, and most storm systems will follow a path across France and northern Spain."

Extreme cold is expected to be absent in a good part of Europe this year, with the exception of Scandinavia, Ireland, and Scotland, where there may be occasional periods of low temperatures below the long-term average. According to the forecast, cold fronts will move east in the second half of winter, through Poland, Russia, and the Baltic states, so the coldest winter air is expected in Berlin, Warsaw, and Minsk. Increased precipitation caused by Mediterranean moisture is also expected in the second half of winter.

The main storm corridor during the winter season is caused by the intrusion of Atlantic systems over northern Spain and southern France, from where fronts will move east towards northern Italy and the Alps and continue towards the northern Balkans and Ukraine. 

Meteorologists expect heavy snow in the second half of winter in Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, northern Romania, and Ukraine, although in lowlands it should not exceed last year's trends.

Winter in the Mediterranean and areas south of the central corridor, where frequent storms are expected, should be mild. Above-average winter temperatures are forecast for Portugal, Spain, Italy, and most of the Balkan Peninsula.