The State Department on Friday issued a warning of "significantly increased avalanche danger" in parts of Switzerland, Austria, and France, telling Americans abroad to monitor local avalanche forecasts.

The warning comes after dozens of people have died in avalanches across Europe this season so far.

"Authorities report significantly increased avalanche danger in parts of Switzerland, Austria, and France," the State Department wrote in the alert. "Monitor conditions via the European Avalanche Warning Service: https://avalanches.org."

An alert from the U.S. embassy in Austria said Austrian authorities have reported "significantly increased avalanche danger in Alpine regions," with parts of Tyrol and Vorarlberg at Danger Level 4, which is considered high, and other Alpine regions in are at Danger Level 3, which is "considerable."

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"At Danger Level 4, avalanches can be triggered very easily, and large to very large natural avalanches can be expected," the embassy wrote. "Exposed transportation routes may be at risk. Conditions are extremely dangerous for snow sports outside marked and open trails. Local authorities may preemptively close certain areas and prohibit access."

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The embassy said Americans in those areas should monitor avalanche forecasts, listen to local authorities, avoid backcountry activities, and stay on marked trails.

The U.S. embassy in Switzerland also reported "significantly increased avalanche danger," with large regions in the Cantons of Valais and Graubünden at Danger Level 4 and other alpine regions in Switzerland and Liechtenstein at Level 3."

In France, the U.S. embassy also reported "strong or very strong avalanche risk in Alpine regions in France along the borders with Italy and Switzerland," including Hautes Alpes, Isere, Savoie, and Haute-Savoie."

Fox News Digital has reached out to the State Department for comment. 

In the U.S., eight skiers also died near Lake Tahoe and one remains missing this week in the deadliest avalanche in California history.

Former New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson was arrested Friday on larceny charges after authorities alleged he stole $85,000 from two city funds, prosecutors said.

Karl Jacobson, who stepped down from the department in January, turned himself in on an arrest warrant and was later released on a $150,000 court-set bond. He faces two counts of larceny tied to alleged fraud involving public funds.

"An allegation of embezzlement by a police official is a serious matter and potentially undermines public confidence in the criminal justice system," Chief State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin said in a statement.

Jacobson’s lawyer, Gregory Cerritelli, said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital that he couldn’t respond to the specific allegations, but noted that "an arrest is not evidence of guilt and allegations are not proof."

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"This is the beginning of a very long process," he stated. "I urge everyone to keep an open mind and avoid a rush to judgment."

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker called the allegations "shocking" during a news conference, and he said the former police chief had at first only admitted taking $10,000 from one account.

"We didn’t know how deep this went," Elicker said, adding that the arrest warrant outlined that Jacobson had "severe issues" with gambling.

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"It’s a very sad day for the city to see a chief, who was beloved by so many people, arrested for a theft of public money and also money that was intended for children," Elicker said.

Last month, Elicker announced Jacobson’s retirement, saying the former chief acknowledged taking money from a city fund used to pay confidential informants who assist in narcotics investigations, according to The Associated Press.

Elicker also said the former chief had confessed to taking the funds for personal use after being confronted by three of his deputies over financial irregularities.

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The State’s Attorney’s Office said the investigation revealed that $81,500 was unaccounted for or misappropriated from the New Haven Police Department Narcotic Enforcement Program Fund between Jan. 1, 2024, and Jan. 5, 2026. 

Bank records show that department checks were deposited into Jacobson's personal checking account, prosecutors said.

Investigators said they also found two checks totaling $4,000 were allegedly embezzled from the New Haven Police Activity League Fund in December 2025.

Jacobson was a member of the department for 15 years before serving a three-year stint as police chief.

Fox News Digital reached out to Jacobson's attorney for comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.