Following initial alerts and school closures in western France, the polar cold wave intensified on January 5, 2026, blanketing the west and Paris basin with heavy snow. Twenty-six departments on orange alert faced massive road, rail, and air disruptions, with authorities warning of slippery roads persisting into Tuesday.
The cold wave, which prompted early suspensions of school transports in Brittany and Normandy, brought 2-3 cm of snow to Paris (up to 5 cm locally), 3-7 cm in Normandy (up to 10 cm on heights), and 5-10 cm in Brittany and Pays de la Loire, as reported by Météo-France.
Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot noted circulation would remain tricky until Tuesday morning. In Île-de-France, level 3 snow plan activated: speeds capped at 80 km/h, trucks over 3.5 tonnes banned. Nationwide, over 1,000 km of jams peaked at 1,020 km around Paris at 6 p.m. Paris buses halted from 4 p.m., RER lines slowed, TGVs limited to 200 km/h. Airports saw 15% flight cuts, delays of 50 min at Roissy and 37 at Orly.
Normandy's A28/A84 blocked by jackknifed trucks; minor bus accidents in Mayenne. School transports also suspended in several Île-de-France departments. Rouen farmers delayed protest.
Looking ahead, heavier snow forecast Wednesday in center-northwest. Sub-zero cold cuts EV range 20-50%; experts recommend preconditioning. Heavy frosts expected overnight, urging avoidance of non-essential travel.