Overview

• The Alps experienced unprecedented snowfall, with up to 1.2 meters recorded in Savoie and Valais, pushing avalanche risk to the highest level since 2001.
• Authorities in Valais and Savoie declared emergency situations, closing schools, roads, and ski resorts, while some areas enforced resident confinements for safety.
• Power outages affected thousands of households, and rail and road networks were severely disrupted, with key routes closed due to fallen trees and snow accumulation.
• A critical avalanche incident in Val-Thorens left one person hospitalized in Grenoble, while other snow slides were reported in nearby areas.
• Meteorologists attribute the extreme conditions to a rare 'return d’est' weather pattern, which brought torrential precipitation and heavy snow to the region.