Severe Snow and Ice Strike 38 French Departments, Transport Suspended Amid Safety Warnings

France faces a significant winter weather event on January 7, 2026, with 38 departments under orange alert due to snow and freezing rain. This extensive weather disturbance has prompted authorities to take strict safety measures, including suspending school and interurban transport in affected regions and banning heavy vehicles on many roads.

Beginning the night of January 6 and continuing through January 7, freezing rain first hit the western parts of France before widespread snowfall swept from the northwest down to the southeast. Snow accumulations are forecast between 3 to 7 centimeters nationally, with localized totals reaching up to 15 centimeters in the Ardennes. Paris and its surrounding Île-de-France departments experience ongoing snowfall and icy conditions into the morning, severely impacting daily commutes and public transport.

Due to the hazardous conditions, the Hauts-de-France region announced a total suspension of all school transport and regular bus services for January 7 to ensure safety. The Ministry of the Interior activated a crisis cell to manage the situation, and the Ministry of Transport has implemented various preventive measures, including speed restrictions and train service suspensions. In Île-de-France, a level 3 snow and ice plan limits vehicle speeds to 70-80 km/h and prohibits heavy goods vehicles from overtaking on major routes.

Road conditions remain treacherous, with multiple accidents reported, including at least five fatalities attributed to icy roads, notably in the Landes region. Utilities have also been affected, with power outages impacting approximately 13,000 households, particularly in Pays de la Loire and Charente-Maritime.

Authorities urge citizens to limit travel and favor remote work where possible. More than 2,500 volunteers and over 200 snow-clearing machines have been mobilized especially in Paris to clear icy sidewalks and streets. Emergency shelters have been expanded under the Plan Grand Froid, extended until January 13 in the Rhône region, to protect vulnerable populations.

A warmer front is expected to arrive by the evening of January 7, replacing snow with rain and easing conditions as temperatures rise above freezing on January 8. Despite this, caution remains essential as the ground is still frozen and hazards persist throughout affected areas.