Five departments in the north of France were placed on orange alert for snow and ice this Wednesday. An event which could “make traffic conditions difficult”, according to Météo France.
A white coat is expected to cover the north of the country this Wednesday, January 8, 2025. If today’s episode is described as “not exceptional for the regions concerned” by Météo France, it remains “sufficiently notable to make traffic conditions difficult “. Indeed, in its 6 a.m. bulletin published this Wednesday, the weather station placed five departments on orange alert for snow-ice from 2 p.m.: Oise, Somme, Nord, Pas-de-Calais and Seine-Maritime. 55 departments are also placed on snow-ice yellow vigilance.
Up to 20 cm in Pas-de-Calais
“During the afternoon of Wednesday, the precipitation gradually moves back towards the north of the country where temperatures remain very low. Upon contact with this cold air, the precipitation becomes snowy from Upper Normandy to Hauts-de-France. “, indicates Météo France, giving details of the expected quantities of snow. Snow accumulations of 5 to 10 cm are expected in Hauts-de-France, up to 20 cm in Pas-de-Calais.
“Some snowfall may occur on the southern margins of the departments placed on orange alert, but without much consequence, except in the north of the Aisne department where the situation should be monitored. Total quantities of snow planned may be adapted during the next updates of the vigilance”, indicates the meteorological organization.
New regions affected from Friday?
Will this situation last? “During the night from Wednesday to Thursday, a lull appears on the Normandy and Picardy sides while the snowfall continues in the Nord and Pas de Calais. They do not really clear until Thursday in the middle of the day,” specifies Météo France in its daily bulletin.
In a press release, the Hauts-de-France region announced the “total suspension” of school transport and intercity bus transport lines, “due to the climatic conditions announced by Météo France”. Be careful, on Friday, “a new snowy axis could also cross the country, from Brittany/Normandy to Burgundy”, specifies the meteorological station.