A new winter offensive is set to hit northern France, with freezing rain and snow forecast in the coming hours. Discover the regions affected by these upcoming bad weather, which could considerably complicate traffic conditions.
If the sun has returned over the last few hours to the regions of the northern half of France, temperatures also dropped significantly. This morning, the frosts were particularly severe, including in the plains, with minimums sometimes close to -10°C. Météo-France even recorded up to -12.2°C in Sancey-le-Grand, in Doubs, and -19°C in Mouthe, still in this department.
Temperatures will remain particularly cold this afternoon in these regions of northeastern France. At the end of the day, they will drop below 0°C. Problem this evening: a rainy disturbance, accompanied by great mildness, will move back over the country towards the north-eastern regions. By coming into contact with these cold temperatures and frozen ground, it will cause a temporary episode of snowfall and freezing rain in these areas.
During this period of return from vacation, it will be advisable to remain very careful facing potentially very dangerous traffic conditions. How will the situation evolve in the coming hours? Which departments are placed on orange alert by Météo-France? Find all the latest information and forecasts in this article.
30 departments placed on orange alert!
At 10 a.m. this morning, Météo-France extended its orange vigilance, which initially concerned 16 departments. Since this update, There are now 30 departments which are placed on orange vigilance.
All regions of the north and north-east of France have therefore been placed on orange alert. The departments concerned are as follows: Orne, Seine-Maritime, Eure, Eure-et-Loir, all departments of Île-de-France, all departments of the Hauts-de-France region. France, the departments of the Grand Est region, Côte-d'Or, Haute-Saône and the Territoire de Belfort.
Snowfall / freezing rain which will reach the northeastern borders
Over the hours, the disturbance will progress from the southwest to the northeast. In contact with cold air, freezing rain is forecast for 1 to 3 hours in the departments placed on orange alert. More lasting snowfall could affect departments close to the north-eastern borders, particularly those in the Grand Est region, where we could observe up to 5 centimeters of snow on the ground.
Over the hours, with the mild weather, the departments affected first by freezing rain or snowfall will see their temperatures rise. However, the disturbance will continue to shift northeastward, bringing further freezing rain and snowfall.
Early next night, freezing rain or snowfall will remain possible between Hauts-de-France and the Grand Est region.
When will conditions improve?
We will have to wait for the mild spell associated with the disturbance to reach the northeastern borders so that the situation truly improves.
At the end of the next night, the mild weather will have reached the borders of the northeast, and the precipitation will no longer be of an aggravating nature.
In any case, freezing rain is a more dangerous phenomenon than snow, because they are often invisible to pedestrians and motorists. If you can, postpone your planned trips this evening and overnight to tomorrow.
