France put to the test by the cold. The country is currently experiencing a significant and lasting drop in temperatures, accompanied by the first snowfalls in the plains and a few rainy periods. According to forecasts from La Chaîne Météo, the week of December 12, 2022 should continue the trend with still very marked cold, especially in the north of the territory… And a slight rise in mild air from the south.
This context is favorable to the fall of new snowflakes in the Mediterranean regions… But not only. This Monday, Météo France placed around fifty departments on alert for various winter reasons: extreme cold, snow-ice… Discover the complete list in our slideshow below*.
When the cold is more intense and long-lasting, extreme cold vigilance can be activated. This plan, made available to the prefectures between November 1 and March 31, is based on the meteorological vigilance of Météo France… And makes it possible to increase the number of emergency accommodation for the most vulnerable populations, such as the homeless.
The system has three levels of vigilance, as La Chaîne Météo reminds us:
*The information provided is based on the meteorological vigilance bulletin of Monday December 12, 2022 at 6 a.m., and is subject to change.