Eleven French departments on weather alert

Eleven departments in the east and southeast of France were on orange weather alert on Thursday morning, as the early cold snap blanketing the country bites.

As reported, the weather system that has seen temperatures plummet across France this week was expected to bring worsening conditions from Thursday.

The departments affected are Bouches-du-Rhône, Var, Vaucluse, Ain, Drôme, Isère, Ardèche, Loire, Rhône, Saône-et-Loire and Alpes-Maritimes.

Residents in Bouches-du-Rhône, Var and Vaucluse are warned by national forecaster Météo France about rain and flooding, possibly accompanied by thunderstorm activity. The Var is also on alert for coastal flooding, along with Alpes-Maritimes.

Ardèche, Loire, Rhône and Saône-et-Loire, as well as Ain, Drôme and Isère, meanwhile, are on alert for snow and ice vigilance, as forecasters warned of 'significant' early snowfall.