A powerful late-season snowstorm has paralyzed parts of southern Switzerland and northern Italy, closing major transport routes and leaving several mountain communities isolated and without power as authorities warn of ongoing avalanche and flooding risks.
Heavy precipitation overnight into Thursday, April 17, forced the closure of critical road and rail connections in the canton of Valais. The Simplon Pass and Grand St-Bernard Pass—linking Switzerland and Italy—were shut in both directions due to deep snow. At the same time, the villages of Simplon Dorf and Gondo became inaccessible from the Swiss side, reachable only via Italy. Zermatt was also cut off, with rail services suspended and replacement buses unable to reach the town.
Rail traffic across the region ground to a halt, with the lines between Visp and Zermatt, Brig and Lausanne, and Brig and Andermatt all interrupted. The Eurocity rail connection from Switzerland to Milan was suspended after flooding on the Italian side, leaving no public transport link between Valais and northern Italy. Authorities in Ticino closed the road into the Bavona Valley as a precaution, while several other mountain passes and local roads were rendered impassable by snow, fallen trees, and landslides.
Meteorologists reported over three feet (one meter) of new snow in parts of Valais, with the snow dropping as low as 1,600 feet (482 meters) in Sion. The avalanche risk was raised to level 5—the highest—across the Upper Valais, Saas Valley, Simplon region, and Binn Valley, with the Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research warning of numerous large and very large avalanches at higher altitudes and wet snow avalanches lower down.
“We urge everyone to exercise the utmost caution:
- Avoid all mountain travel outside of secured areas.
- Do not go off-piste or hiking, including snowshoeing or skiing.
- Strictly follow the instructions of local authorities, rescue services, and mountain professionals.
The mountains are beautiful, but they can be formidable. In this period of high danger, everyone’s responsibility is essential to avoid tragedies.”
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Authorities also maintained a pre-alert for flooding on the Rhône and its tributaries, warning of rapidly rising water levels, debris flows, and landslides. Residents were advised to avoid all non-essential travel, stay away from trees and watercourses, and heed instructions from local officials.
The storm left several towns without electricity, including Zermatt, where residents described the sudden absence of basic services as a shock. “We’ve never experienced anything like yesterday and tonight. We’ve been without electricity since last night. There’s no hot water, no internet. Things we take for granted are suddenly a luxury,” one visitor wrote. All schools across Valais were closed, and emergency meeting points were established in affected municipalities to provide information and essential supplies.
The disruption comes at the start of the busy Easter holiday, traditionally a time of heavy travel through the Alps. On Wednesday, a more than four-mile (seven-kilometer) traffic jam formed at the Gotthard Tunnel as holidaymakers sought alternative routes, with authorities recommending detours via the San Bernardino Tunnel.
Meteorologists described the storm as the largest of the 2024-25 season. It forced the closure of most ski areas still open in the region. Avalanche danger was at “exceptional” levels, and some resorts reported up to 30 inches (75 centimeters) of fresh snow in a single day.
The intense precipitation is expected to continue through Thursday afternoon, with further disruptions likely. Authorities urge residents and travelers to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary journeys as crews work to clear roads and restore essential services.
