After a first snowy episode last week, snowflakes are expected to fall again on France this week. From Wednesday 17 to Friday 19 January, snow will fall on the northern third of the country, informs the Weather Channel*. Notably Île-de-France, Normandy, Brittany, Alsace and Hauts-de-France. All will be affected by Depression Irene. It is explained by a "low-pressure system that stretches from Spain to Central Europe, passing through France," analyzes the meteorological agency.
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From the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, a very active disturbance will meet the cold air over the northern third of the country, degrading the weather conditions, "says Météo France. Freezing rain may form from Normandy, to Alsace, via Île-de-France, late night and morning. "The period at risk is from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m.," adds The Weather Channel.
Air Mass Conflict
From Wednesday, the weather will "drastically change," notes The Weather Channel. Heavy rain will fall on Brittany during the day. "The amounts of rainfall forecast are significant, sometimes 40 to 50mm," Keraunos, the French thunderstorm observatory, told X.
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A disturbance full of moist air from the Atlantic and the Mediterranean will collide with cold air of polar origin firmly established in the north of the country." This air mass conflict will lead to a risk of snow in the plains, from Normandy to Hauts-de-France.
In the north, from the Channel coast to the Pays de la Loire, part of the Paris basin, the Ardennes and the north of Lorraine and Alsace, the situation could become delicate. This area will be in contact with mild and cold air. Snowfall is expected, which can stick to the ground, especially in the regions bordering the English Channel. While in the South, mildness will be the order of the day with 20°C in the Basque Country, under the effect of foehn.
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Mild weather expected on Monday
On Thursday, cold polar air will push mild air toward the center. This situation is conducive to maintaining snowfall from the Channel coast to the Loire, which will weaken in the afternoon. In the central regions, snow will follow the day's rains at lower and lower altitudes.
Therefore favor teleworking this Thursday morning in Île-de-France since traffic conditions on the roads will be delicate and disruptions are also foreseeable on public transport (RER, Bus and Tram). In the southern third, from the Pyrenees to the Mediterranean, the mildness will be marked with 14 to 18°C from the Garonne to the Pyrenean foothills.
But these pleasant temperatures will soon be replaced by the cold. Cold air will prevail in the South where temperatures will drop by 10°C in 24 hours. This decrease will be accompanied by rain from the Pyrenees to the Alps and snow at lower altitudes. In the north, the weather will become drier again, but it will be cold.
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A mild spell is expected on Monday, accompanied by weather gradually becoming disturbed, but should not "generate slippery phenomena," concludes Météo-France.
*The Weather Channel is a property of the Figaro Group.