Avalanches in Europe and the US: Have there been more this winter?
BBC World
February 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Avalanches have claimed over 90 lives this winter across Europe and the US, with particularly deadly incidents in California and the Alps. In California, eight skiers were killed, and one remains missing after a storm left new snow unable to bind to existing layers, creating unstable conditions. Meanwhile, Europe has faced two major storms within a week, leading to high avalanche warnings across the Alps. This winter's unusual weather patterns have raised questions about climate change's role in increasing such risks.
The situation in Europe is dire, with resorts describing conditions as the worst in decades. Heavy snowfall and strong winds have caused widespread avalanches, resulting in numerous fatalities, including three Britons. In Switzerland, evacuations, power outages, and a train derailment highlight the chaos caused by these events. Experts note that while climate change may contribute to extreme weather, it is difficult to directly attribute avalanches to global warming due to multiple factors influencing snowpack stability.
Simon Mason of SEI US points to evidence suggesting climate change could lead to more intense precipitation followed by dry periods, which might explain Europe's recent patterns. However, he emphasizes that avalanche risks are influenced by various factors, making long-term predictions challenging. Christoph Marthy counters that the current Alpine winter is unexpected under climate change models, with prolonged high-pressure systems and dry spells dominating earlier in the season.
Benjamin Zweifel of the Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research explains that this winter's main challenge has been a weak snowpack with
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Originally published on BBC World on 2/19/2026