32 French departments declare orange alert

Snow is expected to fall over a large area of northern France today (January 16), starting in Normandy before arriving in Paris later in the day and then heading eastwards.

Weather service Météo France has issued an orange alert snow and ice warning for 32 departments, including all the departments in the greater Paris area, and a yellow alert for 44 departments. You can check the warning level for your department on Météo France’s website here.

The weather service stated that it is “a classic snowy episode for the season, but requiring particular vigilance as it can make traffic conditions difficult.”

“The risk of ice is an aggravating factor.”

Some 5,000 homes are without electricity in Haut-Rhin and Bas-Rhin due to snowfall, FranceInfo reported this morning.