The avalanche risk is 5/5 (Very High) for Friday 20th February across the majority of the mountain ranges of the Northern Alps and even 4/5 (High) in the Chartreuse, Vercors, Bauges, areas that typically have lower risk. Snowfall accumulations will be over a meter this week at mid mountain altitudes, more higher up. With this in mind Meteo France have renewed their special avalanche bulletin for the Alps. They have also issued warnings of natural avalanches for the Massif Central and Vosges mountains. Overall in France since New Year there have been 42 days with precipitation out of 48. I think the last time we had a similar situation was the winter of 1999.0}
Météo-France Special Avalanche Bulletin Issued Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 4:05 p.m. (local time)
VERY UNFAVORABLE CONDITIONS FOR MOUNTAIN ACTIVITIES IN THE ALPS THIS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20.
The utmost caution is strongly advised outside marked and open ski runs for all mountain activities (skiing or hiking), despite the gradual return of fine weather starting Friday morning.
The snowpack is highly unstable across the Northern Alps departments as well as the Hautes-Alpes.
On Thursday, February 19 and during the night from Thursday to Friday, the avalanche risk level is 5 out of 5 on the European Avalanche Danger Scale in the high mountain ranges of the Northern Alps and the Hautes-Alpes. Numerous very large avalanches may occur spontaneously and in some cases reach valley floors.
Despite the end of precipitation on Friday morning, the avalanche risk will remain high across almost all of these Alpine massifs on Friday, February 20 (level 4 out of 5 on the European Avalanche Danger Scale, the highest level for human-triggered avalanches).
Avalanches may be easily triggered by mountain users (skiers, hikers, snowshoers) and could mobilize very large volumes of snow, even at mid-elevation.
For further information, please consult the Avalanche Risk Forecast Bulletins on the Météo-France website (Mountain section) or the Météo-France mobile app, and seek local advice from mountain professionals.
Press contact: [presse@meteo.fr](mailto:presse@meteo.fr) End of bulletin