High pressure over Russia and an a low over France are resulting in a strong southerly flow across the Alps that will persist over the next few days. Foehn and a good deal of sunshine will push temperatures up to 18°C on the northern Alps. Expect gusty foehn gales up to 60mph locally.

On the other hand much of the Italian Alps and the Ticino will get persistent rain with the snowline climbing slowly above 1500m asl.

Monday - persistent rain across the Ticino, the San Bernardino, across the Lombardian Alps and up to the Trentino. Snow falling above 1,000 m asl causing difficult road conditions here. Elsewhere mostly dry, often with valley fog, mist and low cloud. Higher ground in the northern Alps will get some sunny periods, with a strong southerly wind, reaching 9 Bft along the crestline and even gale force locally.

In the south temperatures will hardly climb above 7°C underneath low cloud and rain, while Foehn winds across the northern Alps will push temperatures up to 18°C. Temperatures at 2,000m asl about -3° in the south and around 2 to 6deg;C in the north.

Tuesday - will see another cold and wet day over the southern Alps, while the vigorous south to southeasterly foehn winds will even strengthen over the northern flanks. Snowline in the south will slowly climb above 1,500 m asl.

Wednesday. Not much of a change. Very wet and feeling cold in the south, with substantial amounts of rainfall and snow on higher grounds above 1,500 m asl. Otherwise, sunny, windy, warm and dry in the north.