Snow forecast as winter arrives early

Cold weather bit across France on Monday, with snow expected in parts of the north and central areas within the next 48 hours, forecasters said.

Temperatures dipped below zero in parts of Hauts-de-France, Normandy and Brittany, as well as in the Limousin and Auvergne Rhône-Alpes overnight, and forecasters said that the mercury will struggle to hit double figures anywhere in the country on Monday.

Snow has already been recorded in parts of the east of the country, and is expected as low as 300m above sea level in the east and 500m in the Massif Central. By Monday evening, snow is expected from the northwest coast to the Grand Est region.

The wintry conditions are expected to continue until at least Friday, with snow expected in Auvergne, Limousin, the Loire Valley, Hauts-de-France, the Paris basin and Normandy on Tuesday, and low temperatures and further snow forecast between Wednesday and Friday in northern and central areas.

What forecasters have described as 'a new episode of bad weather' is forecast for the south of the country and Corsica at the weekend.