Snow chaos at the Swiss Italian border. | Image: Julia Schneemann
The southern side of the European Alps has seen massive snowfalls last weekend. The biggest snow fell along the Swiss-Italian border. Many areas in Italy saw between 1-1.5 meters (3-5 feet) of snowfall over the last five days.
Several mountain passes and tunnels had to be closed due to avalanche danger and snow on the roads. An avalanche in Martell in South Tyrol closed a gallery tunnel on Sunday, March 10. Local fire departments were unsure if anyone had been in the tunnel at the time and searched for several hours but thankfully could give the all-clear later on Sunday afternoon. Areas that did not see snow saw massive rainfalls, causing land- and rock-slides as well as flooding of roads.
PHOTOS
Italian meteorologist Jacopo Zannoni shared this pictures from Northern Italy, where between 1-1.5 meters of snow fell over the last 3 days. | Image: Jacopo Zannoni FacebookItalian meteorologist Jacopo Zannoni shared this pictures from Northern Italy, where between 1-1.5 meters of snow fell over the last 3 days. | Image: Jacopo Zannoni Facebook
The gallery tunnel between Hotel Waldheim and the biathlon center in Hintermartell was struck by an avalanche on Sunday, March 10. | Image: Landesfeuerwehrverband Suedtirol FacebookThe gallery tunnel between Hotel Waldheim and the biathlon center in Hintermartell was struck by an avalanche on Sunday, March 10. | Image: Landesfeuerwehrverband Suedtirol FacebookThe gallery tunnel between Hotel Waldheim and the biathlon center in Hintermartell was struck by an avalanche on Sunday, March 10. | Image: Landesfeuerwehrverband Suedtirol FacebookThe basilica in Oropa covered in thick snow. Image: Aldechi Rendola FacebookAlpe di Mera in Italy received 130cm of snow. | Image: Alpe di Mera InstagramAlpe di Mera in Italy received 130cm of snow. | Image: Alpe di Mera InstagramAlpe di Mera in Italy received 130cm of snow. | Image: Alpe di Mera InstagramA rockslide caused an isolated village to be inaccessible on Sunday until the fire department cleared the road again. | Image: RAIA rockslide caused an isolated village to be inaccessible on Sunday until the fire department cleared the road again. | Image: RAIJust across the border from Italy is Airolo in Ticino, Switzerland. The resort has had some great snowfalls with 2m accumulated in the last 2 weeks. | Image: Airolo Instagram
