Northern France Under Orange Alert for Snow and Ice on February 15, 2026

Météo-France has issued an orange weather alert for snow and ice affecting multiple northern departments on Sunday, February 15, 2026, starting at 8 AM. The alert covers 13 to 15 departments, including those in Île-de-France, Hauts-de-France, Haute-Marne, Côte-d'Or, and Yvelines. Snowfall is expected to range from 1 to 3 centimeters in the Paris region and 3 to 6 centimeters in Hauts-de-France, with localized areas such as parts of Yvelines potentially seeing up to 5 centimeters.

Snow is forecast to begin early Sunday morning, around 6 AM in western Yvelines, spreading quickly and falling at about 1 cm per hour initially. By midday, temperatures should rise, leading to a transition from snow to rain and causing rapid melting. This warming may also bring freezing rain, particularly in Côte-d'Or and Haute-Marne, increasing the risk of hazardous driving conditions. Authorities have introduced precautionary measures including reduced speed limits by 20 km/h for all vehicles and a ban on truck overtaking from 6 AM to 2 PM in Yvelines.

The snowfall is linked to a disturbance in the northern cold air mass but is expected to be followed by a significant warming trend. Besides snow and ice alerts, other parts of southern France face high wind warnings due to storm Oriana, with gusts reaching 120 km/h. Residents in affected areas are advised to stay informed, drive cautiously, and comply with traffic regulations to ensure safety during the event.