Several phenomena are accumulating this weekend in France and making the weather unsettled.
The country is faced with both precipitation from southern Europe and the influence of the Karlotta depression, which circulates between Ireland and England.
The departments of Finistère and Pas-de-Calais remain on orange alert (level 3 out of 4) this Saturday due to flooding.
Vigicrues, the organization in charge of monitoring rivers, explains that in the west of the country, it is the Laïta sector which is concerned, in particular because of the strong tides, which limit the flow.
In the north of France, it is the Canche area which is exposed.
Maintaining #orange vigilance of the Laïta in #Quimperlé (29), in anticipation of overflows at high tides.
Maintaining #orangevigilance of Canche (62).
Stay informed at https://t.co/df6JDFOHeL pic.twitter.com/kUc7VTcP0V
— Vigicrues (@Vigicrues) February 10, 2024
Vigicrues estimates that the situation “will take several days before returning to normal”.
In Pas-de-Calais, new rains will “counteract” the decline, even if the situation tends to “improve”.
In Finistère, “the surges linked to the passage of the Karlotta depression are still significant.
Overflows could again occur at high tide times for the next tides.”
Morbihan is also concerned since this river is located on the border between the two departments.
Channel coasts and Atlantic coast on orange alert
The influence of the tides will be felt even more on Sunday.
As a result, Météo France places 11 departments on orange alert for this day due to waves and submersion.
These are all those located on the edge of the Atlantic.
Added to this are Côtes-d'Armor, Ille-et-Vilaine and La Manche, along the Channel.
Seine-Maritime, Somme and Pas-de-Calais are also placed on yellow alert (level 2 out of 4) for the same reason.
/Meteo France
It is mainly the high seas on Sunday morning which poses difficulties.
“Water levels are increasing with still a strong surge and a tidal coefficient of 107,” warns the meteorological organization.
It warns against “submersion by overflowing or crossing of sea waves on exposed areas of the coastline.
Additional erosion of already fragile sectors could be observed.”
For the second tide with a coefficient of 109, “the departments going from Loire-Atlantique to Pyrénées-Atlantiques remain on yellow level wave-submersion vigilance” with particular attention in the Bay of Biscay.
Mediterranean episode in the South-East
Furthermore, the South-East has been facing a Mediterranean episode since Friday, that is to say heavy precipitation with a stationary tendency coming from the sea. Until this Saturday afternoon, the departments of Var and Alpes-Maritimes are the most affected.
If vigilance is only at yellow level for the moment, it could be strengthened.
Caution is also required due to waves and marine submersion.
These two departments as well as Gard and Bouches-du-Rhône are on yellow alert.
A few storms are possible, as in the west of the country.
Snow on the road in the Alps
Precipitation is gaining ground even in the southern part of the Alps.
Accumulated snow can reach up to several tens of centimeters from an altitude of 1500 m.
“More than 40 cm to 50 cm of new snow are expected above 2000 m in the Southern Alps.
This limit drops to around 1000 m » next night with the increase in precipitation towards the north of the Alpine massif.
This Saturday, with the start of the holidays for Parisians, Montpellier residents and Toulouse residents, certain roads could be difficult to take.
Here too, caution is required and special equipment must not be forgotten.
Finally, the weather is also disrupted this Saturday from the southwest to the northeast of France.
In the southern part, gusts of 90 km/h are possible in Auvergne.
A few flakes may also fall on the Massif Central from 900 m.