With 30 to 35cm of new snow expected overnight accompanied by strong south-westerly winds (Sunday 6th February) Meteo France has launched a yellow alert for avalanches. Mountain rescue have also warned of the dangers of forests with the high winds expected to topple trees and branches.
"Hikers and skiers, take care on Monday. There is an important avalanche risk particularly in the Isere and Savoie (Risk 3/5) and the Haute-Savoie (4/5). Significant snowfall is expected to Monday morning from mid altitudes or temporarily down to valley floor level in the Haute-Tarentaise, Maurienne and Arve. The new snow will fall on an unstable snowpack (Persistent Weak Layer) forming new slabs that can be easily triggered by the passage of a single skier or hiker. Take particular care on northerly slopes, shaded valleys and clearings, even from mid altitudes. The risk is highers in the Beaufortain, Mont-Blanc, Haute-Tarentaise and Aravis areas. The snowpack should stabilize by mid week."