Extreme weather conditions have caused significant disruptions across Italy and France, including avalanches, storms, strong winds, and landslides.
In Italy’s South Tyrol region, a 16-year-old boy was killed by an avalanche while skiing off-piste in Plan in Val Passiria. This tragic incident marks the second avalanche fatality in the region recently.
The avalanche risk there is currently rated as “considerable” on the European scale.
In the Aosta Valley, specifically the Gressoney area near the French border, over 6,000 residents have been isolated since Sunday due to avalanches that also blocked a tunnel. This area remains inaccessible as a result.
Severe thunderstorms and winds exceeding 60 mph (100 km/h) in Liguria on Italy’s northwest coast have led to landslides. A tornado struck near Savona, and waves over four meters high were reported at Capo Mele.
Over 6,000 people are isolated in the Gressoney area due to avalanches and blocked tunnels.Flooding affected the Alessandria region of Piedmont, while storms and snow impacted southern Italy and Sardinia, with snowfall reported on the Gennargentu massif.
In France, the Alps face a high risk of avalanches following heavy snowfall over the weekend. The French meteorological office warns of significant snow accumulation, particularly around the Italian border. Several Alpine resorts in southeastern France have been cut off, with up to 50 cm of snow falling in a few hours.
Meanwhile, Brittany experienced flooding due to 50 mph (80 km/h) winds and heavy rain. On Monday, 54 French departments were under weather warnings, with four regions on high alert for extreme conditions.
This extreme weather follows an unusually warm and dry February across Europe, adding to the current challenges.