a very rare day of snow in November

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“When I looked outside at 7:30 a.m., I couldn’t believe it. It's November, it's early to have snow all the same! », says Pascal, municipal employee of Saint-Denis-le-Gast (Manche), shovel in hand clearing access to the town hall.

As planned for a few days, the snow has invited itself THURSDAY November 21, 2024 in the Manche department. From the northern coasts of Brittany to the Alps, a air mass conflict took place during the passage of the depression (and storm) Caetanocausing significant snowfall for the season, for regions placed in the north of it.

90% of the English Channel covered in snow

On orange snow and ice alert, the department, where a mild and temperate climate usually reigns, woke up under a white drape marveling children and complicating the task of motorists.

“I won't go any further, the road is too dangerous. »

From 7 a.m., the first snowflakes appeared. If the Val de Saire was spared thanks to an easterly wind of maritime origin causing the thermometer to rise a few degrees, more than 90% of the Channel was treated to a white coat, ranging from 1 to 2 centimeters by the sea, up to around twenty on the hills of the Armorican massif located between Saint-Lô and Villedieu-les-Poêles, as well as in the south of the department.

Road difficulties arose at dawn, prompting many workers to turn back or simply stay at home.

“Some came to have a coffee, then returned. I also told my employee living in Torigny-les-Villes not to come. »

“The truckers left before 6 a.m. to be able to take the A84”

For others, bad weather cannot stop their profession. South of Saint-Lô, the farm located at the top of Mont Robin was to facilitate access for the milkman who had to pass in the morning. The operator did not hesitate to get ahead of the departmental agents responsible for clearing the roads, equipped with his tractor, to remove the 10 centimeter layer already present by mid-morning on the 2 kilometers of secondary network.

Others had anticipated this climatic event by observing the weather forecast the day before. “The truck drivers left before 6 a.m. to be able to take the A84,” assures the waitress at the Le Frutier hotel in Villedieu-les-Poêles. Indeed, this axis, often subject to complications from the slightest snowfall, was closed early in the morning between Caen and Fougères to vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes. This does not prevent delicate conditions in the Gouvets sector.

The Beaujolais evening is postponed

After a brief lull in the midday hour when snow intensities were less significant, the rear of the disturbance, called occlusion in meteorological jargon, once again surprised road users. Between Villebaudon and Percy, on the D 999, two heavy goods vehicles got in the way. Results, motorists having to turn around after 45 minutes of waiting.

“I found a base a few kilometers away. I won't go any further, the road is really too dangerous. »

These bad weather conditions also took their toll on today's event. The organizers of the evenings dedicated to Beaujolais Nouveau in the various towns and businesses in La Manche did not want to take any risks, for fear of not seeing any people. “It’s postponed until tomorrow evening. It’s better to be careful,” says Eli, the Perciais bartender.

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