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The month of November has barely begun, and now the weather is already promising a change of scenery in France! After a relatively mild start, temperatures are about to drop in several regions. Snow will even fall at medium and high altitudes. All because of a fascinating and feared meteorological phenomenon: the cold drop.
But how will this phenomenon influence the weather in France? Which departments should expect to see the first snowflakes fall?
A surprising weather phenomenon
To fully understand why the snow is coming at the start of the month, we must first look at the cold drop phenomenon. This term designates a pocket of very cold air located at an altitude of more than 5,000 meters.
It is formed when the polar jet stream a sort of “river of air” at high altitude, is deformed. This current then lets a pocket of cold air descend to our latitudes. This little atmospheric “accident” can cause unstable weather with showers of rain, sleet, and especially snowfall.
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Weather: the cold will soon arrive in France, here is when according to the forecasts
The cold drop expected this week from Germanybrings its share of freshness. In particular, it will cause a notable drop in temperatures in the center and south of France.
The presence of this depression reinforces the arrival of cold air at altitude. Which will create the perfect weather conditions for snowflakes at altitude, particularly in the mountain ranges.
Snow in these departments
With this new episode of cold drop, the weather forecast announces snowfall on several French massifs.
In the Jura, the Northern Alps, the Vosges, Auvergne and even the Pyreneesthe first snow should accumulate from 1,000 meters above sea level in certain areas. In the Alps and Jura, you should expect between 10 and 15 cm of fresh snow above 1,500 meters.
Residents of the east and southeast of the country are particularly feeling this wave of freshness. Temperatures drop on average by 2 to 3°C below seasonal norms. Snowfall is expected to continue until Wednesday.
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Weather: snow, storm, drop in temperatures… these climate changes to expect in November
In the plains, the weather forecast is mostly rain. But as the depression moves southwest, temperatures will drop further. The situation will thus allow the snow formation at lower altitude . Forecasts indicate that snow could reach the Pyrenees from 1,200 meters. On the other hand, it will gradually withdraw at the end of the week.
Temporary winter weather
Even if the cold drop creates a climate suitable for snow, this cold snap is not expected to last. According to The Weather Channela rise in temperaturesis planned for the weekend. This first wave of cold and snow is therefore fleeting. Conditions should thus soften and bring temperatures closer to seasonal norms.
Beyond the simple meteorological curiosity, this cold period is a test for the first winter equipment. The ski resorts are already preparing to welcome the season. But for now, the snow will only persist in the high altitudes. It will then be necessary to wait for see the landscapes whiten sustainably at low altitude.
