At least three consecutive days during which ‘temperatures remain clearly below seasonal norms’ are needed before forecasters in France declare a countrywide ‘cold snap’. According to La Chaîne Météo, the average national temperature on Friday was between -0.3 and -1.1%, some 6C below normal values. Periods of extreme cold, meanwhile, can lead to potentially dangerous weather phenomena, such as snow and black ice, which can disrupt road, rail, and air traffic. Temperatures are not expected to pass above zero in parts of eastern France, where conditions look certain to meet the criteria for a regional cold snap next week. In western and southern France, heavy overnight frosts are expected even in Mediterranean areas.

Source: The Local January 02, 2026 14:08 UTC