Severe weather has gripped France this December weekend, with several regions facing warnings for heavy snow, strong winds, and hailstorms. Météo-France has issued yellow and orange alerts across parts of the country due to storm phenomena expected to last through Sunday and the following days.
On December 22, the Picardie region found itself under yellow alerts for violent winds and thunderstorms. Météo-France maintained this vigilance throughout the day, forecasting thunderstorm activity accompanied by hail until 5 PM. Early during the day, motorists encountered unexpected hail showers, particularly noted in the western parts of Somme, causing some drivers to stop on emergency lanes, prompting fire department interventions.
Alongside the hailstorms, the Alpes du Nord region is bracing for what Météo-France has described as "remarkable" snowfall. The agency has placed Ain, Savoie, Haute-Savoie, and Isère under orange alerts for snow and freezing rain, indicating the potential for avalanches through Monday evening. Notably, snowfall had already begun to accumulate, with 5 centimeters recorded at Bourg-Saint-Maurice and 6 centimeters at Chamonix by the late morning.
The forecasts predict nearly one meter of snow at elevations above 1,500 to 1,800 meters, with 40 to 60 centimeters expected around 1,000 meters. These accumulations may significantly disrupt access to high-altitude stations, according to Météo-France's updates released earlier. Motorists have been advised to exercise great caution, be equipped with winter tires, and use chains when accessing certain mountainous areas.
"It’s important to limit travel as much as possible," stressed the Haute-Savoie prefecture. Travelers on the A7 motorway from southern France are urged to stay informed about weather conditions before embarking on their journeys.
Meanwhile, the risk of avalanches has heightened throughout the Savoie, Haute-Savoie, and Isère regions beginning at 6 PM. Météo-France anticipates significant avalanching activity as the snowfall continues overnight and throughout Monday. This type of avalanche occurrence typically happens every three to eight years depending on the specific mountain ranges involved.
On the coastal front, severe winds have battered areas starting early Sunday morning. The Manche, Ille-et-Vilaine, and Côtes-d’Armor were placed under orange alert until 8 PM Sunday. Winds reached up to 130 km/h on the coast and around 100 km/h inland, accompanied by thunderstorm-type showers and hail. A "strong gust" of wind is also predicted for the Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales later Sunday evening, with the possibility of increasing vigilance statuses.
Despite the ominous weather warnings, the skiing industry has mixed reactions to the incoming snow. Anne Marty, president of Domaines Skiables de France, expressed excitement over the anticipated snow volumes. "It’s incredible! We are very happy; of course, there’s the need for road vigilance, but these departments are used to such weather episodes. We are ready," she stated during her interview with BFMTV.
Marty continued, "People will be able to throw themselves onto the powder and have massive snowball fights; it’s going to be fantastic!" This reflects the optimism within the local ski community, even as authorities caution about the accompanying hazards related to the weather.
Also on Sunday, Reims saw brief but intense hail fall, causing streets to white out temporarily. The Marne region had not been placed under yellow alerts for thunderstorms this time, unlike its neighbor Aisne, which saw its alert level drop to green by 6 PM.
With conditions expected to remain dynamic and severe, Météo-France continues to monitor the situation closely. The public is advised to heed all warnings and forecasts, ensuring safety amid this tumultuous weather.
The aftermath of these severe weather events will likely lead to discussions around preparedness and response strategies, especially as various regions face challenges ranging from travel restrictions to avalanche risks.
