On Friday, April 18, 2025, the department of Savoie is once again under orange alert for avalanche risks, according to the latest bulletin from Météo France issued at 6:00 AM. The warning comes in light of significant snowfalls that have affected the region, particularly impacting the Vanoise, Haute-Maurienne, and Haute-Tarentaise massifs.
Heavy snowfall between Wednesday and Thursday has resulted in accumulations of up to 1.20 meters in certain areas, causing considerable disruptions. Météo France warns that while avalanche activity will be significantly reduced compared to Thursday, large avalanches remain a possibility throughout the day, especially in the aforementioned regions until Friday afternoon.
The orange alert in Savoie is effective from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM today. Météo France had previously lifted the orange avalanche alert on Thursday midday but continued to advise the public to exercise 'utmost caution' due to a high avalanche risk, rated at level 4 out of 5, across all Alpine departments on Friday.
"Avalanches could locally reach infrastructures or roads, with fresh snow quantities reaching 1 meter from the bottom of winter sports resorts," the meteorological service cautioned. The prefecture of Savoie has echoed this sentiment, urging residents and visitors to remain "very vigilant" during mountain activities.
In a troubling incident, a man was buried by a snowslide at the Val Thorens resort and was evacuated in critical condition to a hospital in Grenoble. This incident underscores the dangers posed by the recent weather conditions, which have led to numerous road closures and school shutdowns across the affected areas.
"Des précipitations neigeuses abondantes ont eu lieu entre mercredi et jeudi. Cette neige récente va s’humidifier rapidement avec l’augmentation des températures et le retour du soleil ce vendredi," Météo France detailed in its latest bulletin, indicating that the warming conditions could exacerbate avalanche risks.
In addition to the avalanche alerts in Savoie, neighboring regions in Italy and Switzerland have also experienced heavy snowfall, with reports of snow depths exceeding 1 meter in altitude. In Piedmont, Italy, a 92-year-old man was found dead in his flooded home, highlighting the severe impact of the weather across borders.
"C'est vraiment exceptionnel," remarked Didier Beauchet, a retiree living in Lanslebourg, who has witnessed such snowfall only a handful of times in his 40-year residency. He noted the unprecedented amounts of snow falling in such a short timeframe.
Yann Geaudry, a former cross-country ski instructor from the nearby village of Termignon, expressed concern about the avalanche risk due to the instability of the snowpack, as well as the potential for flooding when the snow begins to melt.
As the situation unfolds, several French resorts have confined their residents and closed their ski areas due to the avalanche risk, which reached the maximum level (5/5) in several massifs, including Haute-Tarentaise and Haute-Maurienne, on Thursday. Rail traffic has also been affected, with approximately 3,000 homes in France left without electricity as of Thursday evening.
The adverse weather conditions have led to significant transportation disruptions. The highway connecting Turin to Aosta has been closed due to partial flooding, while access to parks in Milan has been prohibited due to strong winds, with gusts reaching up to 100 km/h.
In the Val d'Aoste region, which borders France and Switzerland, evacuations of homes and barns have been necessary due to rising water levels in local rivers. The heavy snowfall has also impacted the Pyrenees massif, although to a lesser extent, with reports indicating accumulations of around 20 to 30 cm.
As authorities continue to monitor the situation, they advise everyone to stay updated on weather conditions and heed warnings regarding avalanche risks. The combination of heavy snowfall, rising temperatures, and changing weather patterns presents a complex challenge for residents and travelers alike.
With the Easter weekend approaching, further weather disturbances are expected, prompting concerns about additional hazards in various regions across France. Local officials are prepared to respond to any emergencies that may arise from the ongoing weather challenges.
The situation remains fluid, and residents are encouraged to stay informed through official channels as they navigate the risks associated with this unusual weather pattern. As Savoie and surrounding areas brace for the potential impacts of melting snow and continued avalanche risks, community safety remains a top priority.
