Unexpected Whiteout for Paris and Hauts-de-France
Residents of Île-de-France and Hauts-de-France awoke to a wintry scene on Sunday, February 15th, as predicted snowfall materialized across the region. Météo France forecasted accumulations of one to three centimeters in the Paris area and three to six centimeters further north, transforming the landscape.
Orange Alerts Activated for a Dozen Departments
In response to the hazardous conditions, the national weather service placed twelve northern departments under an orange-level alert for snow and ice. The affected areas are Nord, Pas-de-Calais, Somme, Aisne, Oise, Val-d’Oise, Yvelines, Essonne, Seine-et-Marne, Paris, Haute-Marne, and Côte-d’Or. The alert was active from 8:00 AM and was expected to remain in place until 7:00 PM in some zones.
A large part of western France was also under a yellow-level vigilance. Additional snowfall was anticipated in the Northern Alps (5-10 cm above 1,000 meters) and the Massif Central (1-4 cm).
Transportation Network Faces Significant Disruption
Météo France described the snow event as “brief but with accumulation on the ground likely to temporarily impact road traffic.” The situation was exacerbated by a risk of freezing rain, particularly in Côte-d’Or and Haute-Marne, making driving conditions treacherous.
The aviation sector was severely impacted. To ensure safety, the Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGAC) requested airlines to reduce their flight schedules by 30% at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport and 20% at Paris-Orly during key morning and afternoon hours.
A Fleeting Winter Episode
This snowfall is linked to a weather disturbance moving through a cold air mass over northern France. However, the wintry conditions are expected to be short-lived. Météo France predicts a “sharp warm-up” at the start of the coming week.
In Paris, temperatures are forecast to rise significantly, with morning values up to five degrees warmer than over the weekend. This rapid increase will limit snow accumulation on the ground, leading to a quick thaw. The weather will remain unsettled, with a mix of showers and sunny spells in a milder, windier atmosphere.
