Northern France on alert for snow, ice and high winds on Wednesday

People living in the far north of France have been warned over dangerous weather on Wednesday (March 8).

Two departments, Nord and Pas-de-Calais, are expected to be hit with snow and black ice.

Météo France has issued an orange (vigilance orange) weather alert – the second highest warning – for residents in those parts of the country. Neighbouring departments have also been alerted.

Météo France is recommending that people in those departments limit their movements tomorrow and keep informed with their local authorities.

It is part of worsening weather across France as its record-breaking dry period comes to an end.

High winds are forecast across the whole northern half of France on Wednesday, with a lower-level yellow warning (vigilance jaune) in place.

That means that residents should practise caution and stay up to date with weather developments.

There is a similar warning for heavy rain and flooding in northern France, including the departments of Nord, Pas-de-Calais, Somme, Seine-Maritime, Eure, Aisne and Oise.

The mountainous south-east also has warnings in place for avalanches (Isère, Savoie, Haute-Savoie, Hautes-Alpes, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Alpes-Maritimes), as well as in the two Corsican departments.

You can look at the Météo France website here to find a list of all departments concerned.

Read also

MAP: where in France do you now need winter tyres or snow chains?

Bring in water restrictions from now, French prefects told