Temperatures to drop by 12C as first snowfall to hit Pyrenees and Alps

France is set for a sudden and significant drop in temperatures for the rest of the week, bringing an autumnal feel and in some mountain ranges, the first snowfall of the season. 

Temperatures at the start of the week remained warm – and above average for the time of year – but saw the start of a sharp plummet overnight. 

Temperatures will continue to drop into Thursday and get even cooler on Friday, before beginning to rise slightly on the weekend.

However, national average temperatures will drop below typical levels on Friday, for the first time in several weeks, and not reach above typical levels again until next Tuesday.

Between Tuesday and Thursday, temperatures are set to drop by around 8C - 12C, although some locations could see a drop of up to 14C. 

This is most prominent in western and central France, where temperatures at the start of the week were well above average. 

In Paris, forecasters predict highs of 19C on Wednesday, which will make this the first day since June 11 that temperatures have not reached at least 20C in the capital.  

This 117-day streak is a new record for the city. 

Elsewhere, maximum temperatures of 16C in northern France, 11C - 13C in the east, 19C in the west and south-west, and 18C - 19C in the south are all forecast for Friday.

Brief snowfall at mountain peaks

The nationwide drop in temperature is caused by a new cool-air system rushing across France this week, replacing the previous calm, high-pressure system.

This cooler air will also drop the 0C isotherm, the altitude at which the air temperature falls to 0C, meaning precipitation will turn to snow.

In turn, the first snowflakes of the season are forecast across the coming days, with the peaks of the Auvergne mountains, peaks at 1,800m and above in the Pyrénées, and 2,000m and above in the Alps set to see snow. 

The snowfall is not expected to be significant and should melt soon after it falls, as temperatures at lower altitudes will not be cold enough for it to settle.

However, snowfalls exceeding 10cm are possible above 2,000m in the most exposed spots.

The 0C isotherm will begin to rise again next week alongside the return of warmer temperatures, making the snowfall a one-off until cooler temperatures appear again closer to winter.

However, with early predictions of a warmer than usual end to the year, it is far from guaranteed that French mountains will see their usual snowfall this season. 

Storm alerts remain 

Rain will cover much of France on Wednesday alongside the cooler temperatures, reaching nearly every part of the country. 

There is a risk of rainclouds developing into thunderstorms across the southern half of the country, as well as in the Loire Valley and the Ardennes forest.

Storms are set to be most powerful along the Mediterranean, following the start of intense rain overnight. 

Rain led to flooding in several locations across the Gard and Hérault departments, and saw firefighters rescue several people. 

This included evacuations in Taillevent aux Châteaux (Hérault), as up to 50cm of water surrounded homes, and in Lodève (also Hérault), where two people were rescued from flooded homes and a further two from the roof of their truck.

In Soumont (Hérault), a mother and her two children were rescued after their home was flooded, and several campers across the department were also rescued as campsites were evacuated.

Roads across the departments were closed due to flooding, with some remaining off-limits. Drivers should check routes in advance.

State forecaster Météo France has the Var department on a heightened tier-three orange warning for both storms and heavy rain/flash flooding, with these warnings set to be lifted at 16:00.

Between 80mm to 120mm is set to fall today across the south, reaching up to 150mm locally, with residents urged to prepare for stormy conditions. 

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