Storm Nils has brought heavy snowfall to the French Alps, placing the entire massif at maximum avalanche risk (5/5) on Thursday, February 12, 2026. Several major ski resorts, such as Tignes, have closed their domains and confined residents. Four deaths have been reported in Savoie over three days due to avalanches.
Storm Nils, described as of 'rare force' by Météo-France, has been sweeping southern France since February 12, 2026. In the Alps, abundant snowfall continues, with accumulations of 1 to 1.5 meters of fresh snow at around 2000 meters and over 2 meters above, according to Régis Crépet, meteorologist for La Chaîne Météo. 'The high mountains are recharging heavily with continuous falls and a rain-snow line often at 1100–1400 m,' he explained. While snow in February is typical, the scale of accumulations over a short period and strong winds make the episode notable, forming unstable slabs and heightening avalanche risks.
The entire Savoie department is under red alert for avalanches, a maximum level (5/5) not seen since 2018, according to Frédéric Henrioud, head of piste safety at Avoriaz. Twenty skiers have died this season in avalanches across the Alps in Austria, France, and Switzerland. 'We fear very numerous avalanches, sometimes large to very large, and the possibility of significant spontaneous releases. They could even reach valley bottoms, affect stations or villages,' Crépet warned.
In response to these hazards, resorts are taking action: Tignes, Les Arcs, and La Plagne have fully closed their ski domains for the day, with Tignes even confining its population overnight from Thursday to Friday. In Avoriaz, 70% of pistes are closed, with 1 meter of snow at 2000 meters and 1.5 meters at 2500 meters. In Megève, the Côte 2000 sector is closed indefinitely, confirms Caroline Denat, director of the tourist office. In Combloux, activities are moved indoors, and the La Giettaz sector is closed.
Beyond the Alps, the storm brings winds up to 162 km/h in Biscarrosse in the Landes, where one death is reported, and significant flooding, with red alerts in Aude, Gironde, Pyrénées-Orientales, and Lot-et-Garonne. About 30 departments are under orange for winds or floods.
