Snow, ice and avalanche risks: six departments placed on orange alert this Sunday

Les départements de la Lozère de l'Ardèche de la Loire et Haute-Loire sont les plus concernés (en vigilance orange). ILLUSTRATION MIDI LIBRE – STEPHANE BOULOIR

Météo-France has placed several departments on orange alert this Sunday, March 3. Four will be on orange alert for snow-ice, two others for avalanches.

Météo France placed six departments on orange alert this Sunday, March 3. Four departments are affected by snowfall and ice: La Lozère, Ardèche, Haute-Loire and Loire. Two other departments, Savoie and Hautes-Alpes, are on orange alert for the risk of avalanches. 

🔶 6 départements en Orange (https://t.co/CSYEovTI83) pic.twitter.com/qD9811eh9d

— VigiMétéoFrance (@VigiMeteoFrance) March 3, 2024

Note that the snow episode begins this morning at 6 a.m. and orange vigilance is scheduled until 6 p.m. Orange alert for avalanches will begin at 1 p.m. until midnight, for now.

5 to 10 cm of snow in the plains

"The snow episode could have an impact on the road network on the first heights given the forecast intensities. Uncertainty remains over the quantities of snow expected in the plains by isothermal conditions in the Rhône valley; small quantities a priori but it is advisable to remain cautious and keep informed, indicates Météo France in its 6 a.m. bulletin this Sunday.

The expected quantities are of the order of 5 to 10 cm from an altitude of 500 m, more than 20 cm above 1000m locally 40 cm or even more.  

In Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the snowfall which started during the night will intensify during the day. In the Rhône valley, up to 5 cm of snow will be possible in the plains. On the reliefs of the Alps and Auvergne between 20 to 40 cm will be expected. The rain-snow limit could drop on these reliefs to around 200 to 300 meters.