Snow, ice, rain, floods: nearly all of France remains on alert

[Update 16:15: Only three departments remain on orange alert for snow and/or flooding: Landes, Pyrénées-Atlantiques and Hautes-Pyrénées. Most of the other departments are on yellow alert]

The weather in France remains perturbed today (Wednesday, January 18). While Storm Gérard, which left 90,000 homes without power, is moving away and storm Fien is circulating towards the south, 16 departments are still placed on orange alert (enhanced vigilance) by the state forecaster Météo France.

74 departments are also placed under yellow alerts.

Snow and ice alerts have been issued for: Haut-Rhin, Territoire de Belfort, Vosges, Haute-Saône, Doubs, Côte-d'Or, Saône et Loire, Allier, Creuse, Puy-de-Dôme, Loire, Rhône, Isère and Ain.

People in affected areas are advised to keep informed with their local authorities, to limit their journeys and to equip their vehicles accordingly.

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

Rain and flooding alerts for: Pyrénées-Atlantiques

High wave submersion risk for: Corse-du-Sud

As this week progresses, the cold temperatures are expected to become more pronounced in many areas as France returns to seasonal norms after a few weeks of milder weather.

Météo France will be updating its advice during the course of the day, with more information on its website.

Read more

High winds, heavy rain, snow: Most of France placed on weather alert