Freezing weather across France

MUCH of France has woken up to glacial temperatures today, with warnings of snow and black ice for tonight.

This morning temperatures fell to -7 in many areas and in certain spots -10 or -11.

There is an especially cold day ahead in an area from the north-east to the Massif Central and the Rhône-Alpes, where temperatures will be below zero all day, under grey skies.

Some snowfall is expected near the Channel and in the Pyrenees, which will remain covered by cloud.

Elsewhere, Météo France forecasts some bright spells but it will remain cold and there will be rough north winds. The Tramontane and Mistral will be blowing strongly in the south, up to 100km on the coast and in the middle of the Rhône valley.

Temperatures generally will be around zero degrees, though warmer on the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, respectively 2-8°C and 5-10°C.

From tonight, around 22.00, there is an Orange alert (dangerous conditions) for snow and black ice in Brittany, Loire-Atlantique, Vendée and the Manche.

Photo: Météo France