Avalanche warning issued for French Alps

CHAMBERY, France, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Much of the French Alps were under an avalanche warning Saturday after France received its first snowfall of the season, officials said.

Trucks traveling in the Alps Saturday were banned from using the Mont-Blanc tunnel between France and Italy, as well as other roads because of the snow, which hit France Friday, Radio France Internationale reported.

Hikers and skiers were warned Friday of "exceptional" snow and high winds have "considerably increased the risk of sudden avalanches" in mountainous areas by the sport and interior ministries.

The avalanche warnings came after two severe avalanches last week, one of which killed a woman.