Heavy snowfall and flooding have left at least five dead, cut off resort towns, and forced thousands to evacuate in what meteorologists call "exceptionally unusual" spring storm
A powerful spring storm system has unleashed record-breaking snowfall and devastating floods across the Alpine regions of France, Switzerland, and northern Italy, claiming at least five lives and causing widespread disruption during the Easter holiday weekend. The extreme weather event, which began Thursday, has dumped nearly 90 inches of snow in some areas while triggering deadly avalanches and flooding that have stranded tourists and left thousands without power.
Record-Breaking Snowfall Paralyzes Alpine Resorts
The storm system delivered unprecedented snowfall across the region, with Switzerland's Simplon area recording a staggering 89 inches (226 cm) in just two days, breaking a 26-year-old record set in 1999, according to data from Snowbrains1. Over three days, accumulation reached 97 inches (246 cm), surpassing a record that had stood for 35 years.
In France, the popular ski resort of Tignes measured 110 cm (3.6 ft) of snow on Thursday alone, with other resorts reporting between 80-90 cm, forcing local authorities to take extraordinary measures.
"Conditions were intense and complicated," said Serge Revial, mayor of Tignes, who ordered residents and tourists to remain indoors on Thursday for their safety. "We had to make a decision to protect people due to the high risk of avalanches," he told local media as reported by BBC2.
The Swiss resort of Zermatt, a popular destination among international tourists, experienced severe electricity and phone network outages amid the heavy snowfall. Roads leading to the resort town were completely cut off, isolating visitors and residents alike. In nearby Sion, also in Switzerland's Valais canton, authorities advised 36,000 residents to remain indoors and wait out the dangerous conditions, according to Deutsche Welle3.
Multiple Fatalities Reported Across Three Countries
The severe weather has claimed at least five lives across the affected regions. In Val Thorens, France, a 27-year-old British man died after being swept away by an avalanche while standing roadside. Local police reported that the avalanche carried him 15 meters (50 ft) down the mountain. Despite rescue efforts by municipal police officers and gendarmes who extracted him from the snow, the man was in cardiorespiratory arrest and later died at a hospital in Grenoble, as reported by The Guardian4.
In Italy's northern regions, three deaths have been confirmed. Near Vicenza in the Veneto region, a 64-year-old man and his 33-year-old son perished when their car was swept away by floodwaters. The pair had volunteered to assist with rescue efforts after heavy rains but never reached their destination. In the Piedmont region, a 92-year-old man was discovered dead in his flooded home, according to fire brigade reports shared by The Guardian4.
Another fatality occurred in the town of Valdagno, Italy, where floodwaters swept away a car, killing both occupants, a father and son, as reported by Deutsche Welle3.
Widespread Infrastructure Damage and Service Disruptions
The extreme weather has caused significant damage to infrastructure across all three countries, with power outages affecting thousands of homes. In Italy's Aosta Valley, which borders France and Switzerland, 6,400 people were left without electricity, according to the Italian ANSA news agency cited by Deutsche Welle3. Reports indicate that 37 of the 74 municipalities in the valley experienced power outages.
In France, approximately 3,300 homes lost power, while in Italy, the number reached 5,000, according to official figures reported by The Guardian4.
Transportation networks have been severely impacted. Dozens of roads were closed across all three countries due to fallen trees or avalanche risks. Heavy goods vehicles were prohibited from using the main Mont Blanc tunnel connecting France and Italy, leaving many truckers stranded. Rail services throughout the region have experienced significant delays and cancellations, complicating travel during the busy Easter holiday period.
In Italy's Piedmont region, which allocated €5 million ($5.7 million) in emergency assistance, flooding prompted evacuations in the Aosta Valley. Parks in Milan were closed due to strong winds and flooding concerns, while residents of Turin were advised to stay home.
Expert Assessment and Climate Context
Weather experts have characterized the snowfall as "exceptionally unusual" for April. While spring snow is not uncommon in the Alps, the sheer volume that has fallen across France, Switzerland, and Italy took meteorologists, local officials, and residents by surprise.
Italy's air force weather service reported "intense and abundant rain" that turned to snow above 1,800 meters altitude, creating dangerous conditions throughout the mountainous regions.
Avalanche experts have issued their highest alerts across French Savoie and Haute Savoie departments and other Alpine regions. Skiers celebrating the Easter holiday were strongly advised to remain on designated runs and avoid venturing off-piste.
"Everyone impacted by the intense storm was given reprieve early Friday when a lull set in," reported The Inertia1, though roads remained closed in several Swiss locations including Zermatt, Saas, and Simplon. While residents and tourists were finally permitted to leave their homes by Friday, authorities warned them to "stay vigilant due to harsh conditions."
Ongoing Response and Recovery Efforts
Emergency services across all three countries continue to work around the clock to restore power, clear roads, and assist those affected by the storm. In Italy's Piedmont region, cleanup efforts have begun, with residents around Turin clearing mud from their homes following the flooding.
Swiss and French authorities are assessing avalanche damage and monitoring conditions closely as temperatures fluctuate, which could potentially trigger more snow slides in the coming days.
The storm's timing during the Easter holiday weekend has complicated both emergency response and the situation for tourists, many of whom had planned skiing vacations in the affected resorts. Local tourism officials are now working to assist stranded visitors and manage the economic impact of resort closures during what is typically a busy period.
Future Outlook and Weather Patterns
While the most intense phase of the storm appears to have passed, meteorologists continue to monitor conditions closely. The combination of heavy snowpack and potential warming temperatures in the coming days raises concerns about further avalanches and flooding as snowmelt begins.
This extreme weather event comes as climate scientists continue to study changing precipitation patterns in the Alpine region, where more intense but less predictable winter storms have been observed in recent years.
As communities begin recovery efforts and assess the full extent of damage, questions remain about how tourism, infrastructure, and emergency planning in these vulnerable mountain regions will adapt to increasingly unpredictable and extreme weather events. Will this record-breaking April storm lead to new safety protocols for Alpine communities, or is it simply an anomalous weather event in a region accustomed to nature's extremes?
