Snow is making its comeback this Thursday, January 2, 2025, and the weather forecasts leave no doubt: 17 departments have been placed on yellow snow and ice alert. The cold sets in for a long time, promising a white coat over a large part of the north-east of the country.
The year 2025 begins under the sign of winter with a radical change in climatic conditions. After a relatively mild period, a significant drop in temperatures and snow precipitation are announced this Thursday, January 2, 2025. A cold wave which is settling in for a long time in the country and which brings with it the first flakes of winter, particularly on the heights. But the situation could become complicated in the coming hours for several departments located mainly in the north-east of the country.
In fact, Météo France has just announced that 17 departments have been placed on yellow alert for snow and ice. Although yellow vigilance remains less critical than orange vigilance, it nevertheless warns of risks that should not be underestimated, particularly for motorists and pedestrians. The formation of black ice, particularly in the evening and at night, could make travel complicated, as could the forecast snowfall, which is enough to impact the daily lives of many residents. Which departments are involved? We tell you everything!
The rest after this ad
17 departments placed on yellow snow and ice vigilance
This Thursday, January 2, 2025, a total of 17 departments were placed on yellow alert by Météo-France due to risks linked to snow precipitation but also ice. The regions concerned are mainly located in the north-east of the country, here they are: the North, Aisne, Ardennes, Marne, Meuse, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Moselle, Bas-Rhin, Aube, Haute-Marne, Haut-Rhin, Vosges, Côte-d’Or, Haute-Saône, Doubs, Territoire de Belfort, and the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
According to Météo France forecasts, snowfall remains light to moderate although from the start of this day “flakes mix very temporarily with the rain from the Paris region to Avesnois, without sticking to the ground”. But as the day passes, the risks will increase, particularly for icy conditions with secondary roads which are often untreated in these regions. Local authorities point out that increased vigilance is necessary, particularly during morning or nighttime travel, where low temperatures favor the formation of slippery patches.
The rest after this ad
What are the forecasts in these departments?
In detail, Météo France indicates that the snow will quickly replace the rain from Champagne-Ardenne to Lorraine in the heights from the end of the morning to form a layer of snow of a few centimeters from 300 or 400 m altitude. A situation which will then affect Burgundy Franche-Comté, but later in the evening. On the Vosges side, you should expect more abundant snow on the hills with 7 to 15 centimeters of snow from 800/1000 m altitude and between 20 to 30 centimeters on the ridges!
The rest after this ad
In the north of the Massif Central and the Alps, the snow arrives timidly above 1200 to 1500m altitude to affect the region lower and lower during the night up to 400-600m altitude. Forecasts which extend from this Friday, January 3, 2025 while the entire northern half of the country is affected by yellow vigilance. In terms of avalanche risks, Savoie, Haute-Savoie and Isère are still placed on yellow alert.
