Snow and Ice Trigger Significant Transport Disruptions Across France on January 5, 2026

Heavy snowfall and icy conditions on January 5, 2026, significantly disrupted transportation across several regions in France, including Normandy and Ile-de-France. Orange weather alerts for snow and ice were issued, prompting widespread caution. In response to the severe conditions, the RATP suspended bus services in Ile-de-France, and night bus (Noctilien) services faced grave disruptions. Airlines operating out of Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle and Orly airports reduced flight schedules by 15% to allow efficient snow clearance and aircraft preparation, according to Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot. Additionally, the SNCF lowered speeds of TGV trains from 300 km/h to 200 km/h for safety reasons.

The snow caused serious road congestion, with over 860 km of traffic jams recorded in Ile-de-France by late afternoon, heavily impacting major highways like the A84 and A28 due to blocked heavy goods vehicles. Authorities urged motorists to avoid unnecessary travel. As a precaution, school transport services were suspended in Normandy and were expected to remain so the following day.

These transport disruptions follow ongoing extreme cold conditions reported by Meteo France, which warned about the severe health risks associated with the "grand froid," including hypothermia and frostbite, emphasizing the need for protective measures. The combination of heavy snow, icy roads, and extreme cold has created a challenging environment for both travel and public safety across France.