781 STORM NILS BURIES France — Avalanches REFUSE to Stop

22 Feb 2026Storm Neils, a once-in-a-generation weather event, hit the French Alps on 10 February 2026, bringing hurricane-force winds and up to 100cm of snow in 48 hours. This, combined with a pre-existing weak snowpack layer formed during a dry, cold period, created a highly unstable situation. Despite ski resort closures and avalanche control efforts, avalanches continued to pose a significant threat, resulting in fatalities and evacuations.A large avalanche in the French Alps killed two people, highlighting the ongoing instability of the snowpack. Persistent weak layers, formed early in the winter, remain buried and pose a significant risk, exacerbated by rising temperatures that could trigger wet slab avalanches. Despite a comprehensive monitoring system, the human factor remains unpredictable, as individuals may choose to venture into dangerous terrain despite warnings.