Severe Snow and Ice Bring Widespread Transport Chaos to Île-de-France on January 7, 2026

A rare and intense snow and ice event has swept across Île-de-France on the morning of January 7, 2026, causing major disruptions to transportation and prompting authorities to issue strong advisories against travel.

Snowfall across the region began around 6:00 AM, with accumulations ranging from 3 to 10 centimeters expected and wet snow anticipated towards the end of the period. Due to hazardous conditions, all bus services in Paris and Île-de-France were suspended starting 7:00 AM, as announced by the RATP and Île-de-France Mobilités. The N118 highway was closed in both directions between Pont de Sèvres and Les Ulis, a known hotspot for weather-related dangers, and speed limits on main roads were lowered to 70 km/h. The heavy snowfall and icy roads contributed to severe congestion, with reports of over 780 kilometers of traffic jams in the region by mid-morning, far exceeding normal traffic levels.

Air travel has also been heavily impacted. Charles de Gaulle Airport saw roughly 100 flight cancellations, while Orly airport canceled around 40 flights, primarily due to snow removal and de-icing operations. Météo-France placed 38 departments in metropolitan France under an orange alert for snow and ice, marking the event as "of rare magnitude in the current climate." The cold snap, which included temperatures as low as -22°C in some areas, has already caused at least five road fatalities nationwide this week.

Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot urged residents to avoid all road travel throughout Wednesday and encouraged teleworking. While tramway services and RER lines A and B currently operate, their status remains subject to weather changes. School transport services were suspended in some areas such as Seine-Saint-Denis, although schools remain open.

Météo-France, the Ministry of Transport, and local authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, advising the public to stay informed through official mobility updates as the snow and ice impact persists in Île-de-France.