According to forecasts, Saturday could become the third coldest day of the year and the coldest November 22nd since 1999. This winter episode comes a year after the notable snowfall that surprised Paris on November 21, 2024, when four centimeters fell in the capital, the highest accumulation recorded in a November since 1968. A large part of France woke up on Thursday under a marked winter atmosphere, with 53 out of the country's 100 departments under a yellow alert for snow and ice, according to Météo France. Although the first snowfalls were recorded on Wednesday afternoon, authorities warn that the coldest day of the week is yet to come. In an interview with BFMTV, Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot stressed that «we must anticipate, prevent and inform», and added that «more significant difficulties are expected this weekend». Snowfall extends from the east of the country to the Massif Central and the Pyrenees. At altitudes above 1,000 meters, up to 10 centimeters of snow are already accumulating in the Jura and Vosges massifs (border with Switzerland), while in the Doubs department (near Switzerland), 4 to 5 centimeters are recorded above 800 meters. The situation is particularly delicate in Lorraine (east), Burgundy (east) and Normandy (west), where the formation of black ice on roads is feared due to overnight rain, requiring extreme caution when driving. In the Pyrenees, snow is common at altitudes of 600 to 800 meters.
