Orange Météo France snow alert for 24 departments

Snow is expected to spread from the north of the country to the west, and over to the east as the day continues, with between 2-15 cm of snow expected in some places.

The 24 departments currently on orange alert (the second-most severe level) are:

Aisne, Ardennes, Aube, Cher, Eure-et-Loir, Indre, Indre-et-Loire, Loir-et-Cher, Loiret, Marne, Nièvre, Nord, Oise, Pas-de-Calais, Paris and surroundings, Seine-et-Marne, Yvelines, Somme, Yonne, Essonne and Val-d'Oise.

Météo France has warned of hidden patches of ice on roads. It alerted drivers to be especially careful, and only take journeys that are 100% necessary.

It also advised that drivers take supplies with them - such as food, water, and blankets - in case they become stuck on the roads.

Already, school buses have been cancelled in Ardennes, Aisne, and Pas-de-Calais, after snow fell early this morning. Near Paris, the major road N118, has been blocked off to heavy vehicles.

A statement from the prefecture of Nord and Pas-de-Calais said: “The weather started at 6h this morning; the snow came from the coast and has progressed inland, around Arras, Dunkirk and Valenciennes. Traffic is slow on the main roads, but there has not been any serious accidents.”