Balkans to be battered by snowstorm into Thursday

A powerful winter storm unleashed rain, snow and gusty winds on much of central and eastern Europe into Wednesday and will continue to impact eastern Europe into Thursday.

As cold air dives southward across Europe, some locations that had rain early in the week will experience a transition to snow before the storm departs on Thursday.

Heavy snow and strong winds created blizzard conditions across parts of the Alps in France, Switzerland and Austria into Wednesday.

More than 60 cm (2 feet) of snow was reported in several locations including Arosa, Switzerland.

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Strong wind can cause blowing and drifting snow, as well as increase avalanche danger into Thursday.

Across the Balkans, precipitation began as rain in many areas on Tuesday. However, as colder air dives southward into the region, rain will mix with and change to snow.

The light of the low sun shines on the hoar-frost-covered foothills of the Alps near Bernbeuren, Germany, Monday, Dec. 30, 2019. (Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa via AP)

Higher elevations from Romania to Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania are expected to have the greatest snow accumulations. In these areas, 15-30 cm (6-12 inches) of snow are likely to fall, with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 60 cm (2 feet).

Even lower elevation cities such as Skopje, Macedonia; Sofia, Bulgaria; and Cluj-Napoca, Romania, can receive accumulating snow before the storm departs on Thursday. This could lead to slick roadways and travel delays across the region.

High pressure building across southeastern Europe from Friday into the weekend will provide drier weather and more sunshine.

Temperatures will gradually climb higher and allow for snow to melt, although any wet areas could turn icy where low temperatures fall below freezing at night.

Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com for the latest updates on this storm and your forecast.