Stormy rains, Mediterranean episode, snow at low altitude… an update on the rough weather expected this weekend

Des chutes de neige importantes sont attendues dans les Alpes ce week-end. ILLUSTRATION VISUALHUNT

Following the meteorological spring, which runs from March 1 to May 31, rain and snowflakes are back this weekend, with a "remarkable" in Rhônes Alpes.

The first weekend of March will be marked by turbulent weather, with a "remarkable" snowy episode. in the South-East of the country, warned Météo-France in its latest bulletin. 

According to the meteorological service, this episode takes place during the night of Saturday March 2 to Sunday March 3 in the west of the Massif Central initially. During downpours, the temperature sometimes drops suddenly, transforming rain into snow. This is what we call isothermal.

Avalanche risk

At midday, the rain/snow limit should rise above 400 m in Rhône-Alpes, 700 m in Auvergne. A return to calm is planned for Sunday evening. "In the afternoon, snow will fall in the bottom of the Alpine valleys. In the evening, precipitation will weaken, Météo-France note.

In the mountains, the risk of avalanches will be monitored on Sunday in the Alps. This episode is not frequent in the current climate at this time of year. However, the expected snow accumulations remain much lower than those experienced by the region during historical episodes.

Two departments on orange alert

The Loire and Haute-Loire will be placed on orange alert "snow-ice" starting Sunday 6 a.m. Snow is expected at low altitudes, up to around 600 meters. The expected quantities are of the order of 5 to 10 centimeters at 600 to 800 meters altitude, 20 locally 30 centimeters at 1000 meters. The orange alert is expected to end at noon.

🔶 2 départements en Orange (https://t.co/CSYEovTI83) pic.twitter.com/IEIim7NZdX

— VigiMétéoFrance (@VigiMeteoFrance) March 2, 2024

Heavy rains expected in the Mediterranean basin 

Alongside the snow, sometimes stormy showers affect the South-East from this Saturday. The rains increase on Sunday and could be locally intense, moving towards the Côte d’Azur. Strong waves will hit the coast of Var and the Côte d’Azur on Sunday with a risk of submersion and flooding in exposed areas. 

On the Côte d'Azur, it should rain in 24 hours on the Côte d'Azur the equivalent of a month of rain, or 70 at approximately 100 mm, according to La Chaîne Météo.