How cold is it going to be in France and for how long? Tips to stay healthy
The freezing weather is showing no signs of abating, with temperatures as low as -9C
As temperatures are set to remain well below zero in some areas, staying healthy is even more important than usual
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Some areas of France are set to see temperatures fall below -9C in the coming week, as the cold is set to linger until at least this weekend and beyond.
A very cold week ahead for most of France
Forecaster Météo France’s national predictions show that the intense cold will persist for the early part of this week, and remain for the next seven days.
Tuesday, January 14: Lows of -5C in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region and parts of Grand Est, and -3C to -2C in Normandy, Centre-Val-de-Loire, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and Occitanie
Wednesday, January 15: Lows of -5C will remain in Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, but rise to around -1C and 0C in most of the rest of the country.
Earlier today, Météo France issued a ‘yellow’ warning, the second-most severe out of four, for ‘Grand Froid’ (major cold). There is also an ‘orange’ warning (one level down from critical) for flooding risk in the Oise department.
Temperatures will start to rise slightly nationwide by the latter part of the week, but overall the weather will still feel very cold.
Thursday, January 16: Lows of 0C in some central regions, and lows of 1-3C everywhere else, except the Mediterranean coastline.
Friday, January 17: Some areas will see lows of -1-2C, and down to -3 in parts of Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes.
Saturday, January 18: Lows of -5C again in Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, -1-2C in central regions, and 0C in Occitanie, Normandy, and Brittany.
Sunday, January 19: Lows of -4C to -1C in some eastern areas, but overall slightly higher temperatures of 1-2C in the rest of the country, and up to 4-6C on the Atlantic coast.
Monday, January 20: By the start of next week, the lowest temperature will be around -1C in eastern areas, rising to 3-4C everywhere else, and 7C on the Brittany coast.
The only exceptions to the very low sub-zero temperatures are Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur, Corsica, and the very south of Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie, where temperatures will instead hover around 3-11C at the coldest, over the course of the week.
Read also: Duck Cold! French phrases to use for chilly weather
Météo France also warns that some areas may see even greater temperatures lows “locally”. For example, it highlighted temperatures as low as -9.2C in Châteaumeillant (Cher, Centre-Val-de-Loire) this morning (January 14).
How to stay warm in cold weather
Intense cold, especially when the mercury dips below zero, can have significant effects on health. This is particularly true for older or vulnerable people.
Public health authority Santé Publique France (SPF) has warned that a drop in temperatures can cause a rise in infectious diseases, such as "colds, flu, a runny nose [and] gastro-enteritis”, as well as Covid-19.
Last week, SPF issued several tips on how to stay healthy during the cold snap:
Air rooms at home and work for at least 10 minutes a day: This may feel counterintuitive, but doing so will refresh the air and clear out viruses and dust
Observe ‘barrier gestures’: Wash your hands regularly, use disposable tissues, stay distanced if you are ill, and cover your mouth with your inner elbow (rather than your hand) if you cough or sneeze. This is especially important at the moment, when the country is experiencing a flu epidemic
Go outside, but dress warmly: Even a short walk can strengthen the immune system, says food and health safety authority Anses
Stay active: It may be less attractive to go outside to practise sport in cold weather, but bundling up and doing some activity - or working out indoors such as on a treadmill or in a gym - is a good way to stay healthy and ensure your body can fight any outside health threats
Eat good quality honey or put it in a hot drink: National healthcare insurance agency l’Assurance maladie says honey can help to fight infections
Stay hydrated: Make sure you drink enough water, even if it is not hot outside
Sleep well in a cool (but not cold) room: A bedroom temperature of 16°C is recommended, along with eight hours of sleep
Eat healthily: Some comfort food is to be expected and enjoyed during the winter months, but remembering to also eat enough fresh fruit and vegetables can help you stay healthy and resist seasonal infections
Get vaccinated: If you have not yet been vaccinated against flu you can get a free jab if you are part of a vulnerable group or get a GP prescription, or pay at a pharmacy.
Read more: Hospital flu admissions on rise in France: Is it too late to get vaccinated?
How can I protect my garden and pipes from the cold snap?
Most garden plants will have adapted to winter weather, however, some can suffer if the temperature drops too fast, too quickly.
Tips to protect your garden and outdoor pipes include:
Insulate the water pipes between the mains and your home: From an insurance prospective it is your responsibility to prevent them from bursting, for insurance purposes
Shelter potted plants: Putting them next to the walls of your home can help
Bring the most vulnerable plants inside: Particularly if the temperature falls below -5°C
Drain water from plant pots: If the roots suddenly freeze it can kill the plant
Fit a garden fleece on plants: This can help protect them from the worst of the cold
Put straw down over winter vegetables during the cold snap: Take it off once the temperatures rise again to prevent them from rotting.
Are your neighbours making small talk about the current cold snap? Join in with them using these typical French expressions.
