10 departments in south-west France on alert for snow, ice and floods

[Update 16:15: The latest Météo France update shows that a total of 8 departments are now on orange alert for heavy snow and ice: Hérault, Dordogne, Lot, Aveyron, Tarn-et-Garonne, Tarn, Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales]

Ten departments in south-west France have been placed on orange alert for snow and ice, or for flood risk, by Météo France this morning (January 19).

The nine departments concerned by the risk of snow and ice are Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Hautes-Pyrénées, Dordogne, Lot, Aveyron, Tarn-et-Garonne, Tarn, Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales. The forecasters say there is the risk of snow overnight Thursday to Friday "from the Dordogne to Roussillon".

The Landes department remains under an orange alert for flooding around the Adour river.

78 departments are also under yellow alert (residents should remain vigilant) mainly for snow and ice but equally for storms and potential flooding.

The unstable weather will arrive this afternoon coming in via the Atlantic coast. At the end of the day and into the evening, it will mean brief but intense snowfall including on lower areas with five to ten centimetres or more expected in some places.

Most of the country will experience frost.

People in areas affected by orange-level alerts are advised to keep informed, to limit their journeys and to equip their vehicles accordingly.

Météo France will be updating its advice during the course of the day with more information on its website.

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