Cold spell sets in for the week
Forecasters say ‘perceived’ temperatures – including wind-chill – could drop into the minus twenties
TWENTY-ONE departments are on orange alert (“dangerous weather”) in the south and east, as the cold spell sets in.
Météo France says we can expect a period of grand froid (extreme cold) until the end of the week.
Snow and black ice is expected this morning in the west of Paca and in the Gard.
The cold is set to get worse as the week progresses, forecasters say. The presence of a wind from the north-east will is expected to increase the sensation of extreme cold, with perceived temperatures (due to wind-chill) often being below -15.
The wave of cold weather is expected to spread to the whole of France, with areas not rated orange at present rated yellow - vigilence required if doing activities vulnerable to weather conditions.
Yesterday temperatures dropped to -13 in the Cantal and to around -7 to -10 in many of the other areas rated orange. Perceived temperatures could drop as low as -25 in the Nord and Oise, forecasters say.
Météo France says we are seeing temperatures of about seven degrees lower than usual for the time of year.
It is advising people in the orange zones to be very careful when travelling and only to do so if necessary.
