Météo-France has placed 26 departments across the country under orange alert for snow and ice as a severe winter weather system continues to grip France, causing widespread disruption to transportation and daily life. The warning, which took effect early Monday morning, is expected to remain in place until at least 10:00 AM on Tuesday, January 7, 2026.
The Île-de-France region, including Paris and its surrounding suburbs, has been particularly hard hit by the winter conditions. Snowfall accumulations of 1 to 3 centimeters were recorded in the capital, while some areas in Seine-et-Marne and Yvelines saw up to 7 centimeters of snow. Morning temperatures plunged to between minus 10 and 0 degrees Celsius, with afternoon highs reaching only 0 to 8 degrees, approximately 5 degrees below seasonal averages.
The hazardous weather conditions have created chaos on French roads. Traffic jams in the Île-de-France region reached a staggering 800 kilometers at 5:00 PM on Monday, setting a historic record for winter weather-related congestion. Authorities have urged motorists to avoid unnecessary travel and to equip their vehicles with winter tires or chains if they must drive.
Public transportation services have also been significantly impacted by the weather. The General Directorate of Civil Aviation instructed airlines serving Paris airports to reduce their flight schedules by 15 percent due to the snowfall. School bus services have been suspended in several departments, including Yvelines, Seine-et-Marne, and Essonne, for Tuesday, January 6, as road conditions remain treacherous.
In an effort to prevent freezing-related damage to infrastructure, the RATP public transit authority announced that trains would operate throughout the night on all tram lines, as well as on certain métro and RER routes that run partially above ground. This measure aims to keep the tracks clear and prevent ice formation on electrical systems.
The northwestern regions of France have not been spared from the winter onslaught. Seven departments in Brittany and Normandy, including Calvados, Côtes-d'Armor, Eure, Finistère, Ille-et-Vilaine, Manche, and Seine-Maritime, were placed under orange snow-ice alert from midnight Sunday into Monday. Residents in these areas have been advised to limit outdoor activities and check on vulnerable neighbors.
French authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have warned that conditions may deteriorate further before improving. Emergency services have been placed on standby, and salt spreading operations are being conducted around the clock on major highways and urban roads to improve driving conditions.
Comments