A powerful and rare spring snowstorm struck the Alps on Thursday, dumping over a metre of snow in just a few hours and causing widespread disruption across France, Italy, and Switzerland. Authorities in all three countries responded by closing roads, cancelling trains, and urging residents to stay indoors.
At least one death has been reported. In Italy’s Piedmont region, firefighters found the body of a 92-year-old man inside his flooded home. In the French resort of Val Thorens, a woman went into cardiac arrest after being caught in an avalanche.
In France, resorts such as Tignes and Val Thorens were temporarily closed due to high avalanche risk. In Tignes, more than 1.1 metres of snow fell overnight, prompting officials to order a lockdown. “All cars are covered up to the roof,” said Mathis, a hotel employee. “Just walking outside is worrying.”
Similar scenes were reported in Sion, Switzerland, where all 36,000 residents were told to stay home. Roads in several regions were shut due to fallen trees and avalanche dangers. The Mont Blanc tunnel, a key route between France and Italy, was closed to heavy trucks, causing traffic jams and leaving dozens of lorries stuck on the A43 highway.
Trains were also cancelled, and around 3,300 homes in France’s Savoy region lost power. In Milan, parks were shut due to flooding and strong winds.
While snow in April is not unusual, the volume and intensity of this storm took many by surprise. Retired ski instructor Yann Geaudry told news agency AFP that once the sun returns, melting snow could quickly trigger flooding in lower areas.
