A gardener’s nightmare. Each year, the Ice Saints take place between May 11 and 13. This popular belief, which dates back to the Middle Ages, is that the risk of cold and therefore of frost is greater during this period. And for good reason: until the beginning of the meteorological summer, it happens that clear nights are synonymous with frost, particularly in the countryside.
This period is not apprehended everywhere in the same way. According to our colleagues from La Chaîne Météo, northern regions such as Alsace have added the dates of May 19, 20 and 25 to the Ice Saints calendar. What are the risks in your area? We take stock in our slideshow below*.
Should we fear frost this year? According to forecasts from the site specializing in meteorology, the weather could be “cool and unstable over France, with showers in a northwest flow”. For now, the trend suggests temperatures 2 to 3°C below normal for the season.
However, this does not mean that there will be frosts. “For this, the nights must be clear. However, to date, the weather would be rather cloudy. But a few night clearings are enough to help the temperature drop to 0°C”, explains the forecaster.
From May 26, the risk of frost is considered eliminated.
*The data provided is based on figures from La Chaîne Météo, which estimates the frequency of frost after the Ice Saints in France.