An orange alert in the wind while at the same time snow is expected all the way to the plains tomorrow.
Be vigilant this Thursday in 2 Savoie and the Ain department. While snow is expected all the way to the plains tomorrow. Météo France has just placed the 3 departments on orange alert for violent winds. Caetano depression is the cause.
A depression also in force in the Alps
A “descent of polar air” and temperatures “worthy of January”, but also sometimes violent winds are expected over a large part of France.
The official press release from the Haute-Savoie prefecture:
Haute-Savoie is placed on orange wind alert and has an avalanche risk of 4 out of 5 on the Mont-Blanc massif.
As of tomorrow afternoon, Haute-Savoie is placed on orange wind alert and the Mont-Blanc massif is at avalanche risk of 4 out of 5 by Météo-France.
Winds reaching 90 to 100/110 km/h in gusts and locally reaching up to 120 km/h are expected in the plains. The wind will be stronger on the reliefs, reaching more than 150 km/h on the highest points of the Alps.
Concerning the risks of avalanches in the Mont-Blanc massif, spontaneous departures occur above 1800/2000m. As snow falls, the size of avalanches increases (size 2 and 3). Below 1800/2000m, avalanches are also possible but of more modest size (size 1 and rarely size 2).
Extreme vigilance is required when practicing all mountain activities and mainly ski or snowshoe hikes, whatever your level. Even if shovels, probes, avalanche victim detectors are essential, these tools do not protect against the risk of avalanches.
The prefect of Haute-Savoie calls on the population to be extremely vigilant and reiterates the precautionary instructions:
• Limit your movements and take shelter,
• Do not walk in the forest
• Stop all outdoor activities,
• Do not go into the water and stop all water activities,
• In town, be vigilant of possible falling various objects,
• On roads and motorways, limit your speed (especially caravans and teams),
• Store or secure objects sensitive to the effects of wind or likely to be damaged,
• Do not work on roofs and under no circumstances touch electrical wires that have fallen to the ground.
