You've probably felt it, but the mercury is dropping drastically. Météo France has placed 28 départements under a "Neige et verglas" (snow and ice) orange alert this Thursday, November 21, 2024, and Paris and the entire Ile-de-France region are among them.
France and the Paris region are preparing for a complicated day on the roads and in transport. This meteorological phenomenon, caused by a low-pressure system crossing France from west to east, concerns a vast band stretching from Brittany to the Alps, via the Île-de-France region.
Snow is expected to fall along an axis stretching from Brittany and Normandy to Burgundy-Franche-Comté, with a rain-snow line dividing France in two around Nantes. In addition, some models forecast the possibility of a few flakes in the Île-de-France region. It is likely that 1 to 3 centimeters of snow will fall, a rare occurrence in the capital at this time of year.
The snowfalls, expected mainly in the morning, could complicate daily commutes, particularly in the event of icy conditions. Météo France warns of the high risks for road users, pointing out that even light snowfall can turn pavements into ice rinks. In town, the situation is not much easier, with flakes likely to turn into sheets of ice once the temperature rises.
The forecasts for the region are part of a national context in which several zones could be placed under orange vigilance in the coming hours. The Alps are expected to receive up to 1.65 meters of snow, while gusts of strong wind are expected on the Atlantic coast. However, lowlanders should remain alert, as the sticky snow and icy conditions are likely to cause major slowdowns and accident risks, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists.
In the Île-de-France region, this alert calls for heightened vigilance when traveling. Authorities are advising people to limit non-essential journeys, and to allow more time for travel. Municipal teams are on the alert to salt the main roads, but secondary roads could remain dangerous.
Whether you're in Paris or in neighboring départements such as Yvelines or Seine-et-Marne, it's advisable to consult Météo France's weather watch map regularly and prepare for unusual winter conditions. Between the charm of the first snowflakes and the challenges they pose, Parisians will need to be extremely vigilant this Thursday to avoid slips or blocked roads.
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