Temperatures of -33.9C were measured in Jura on Saturday as France recorded some of its coldest temperatures ever. The cold spell led authorities in Paris to cut speed limits by 20km/h under level two of its ‘cold and ice plan’.
The exceptionally low temperature of -33.9C was recorded in the early hours in an uninhabited area in the commune of Mignovillard, Jura - the “coldest part of France” according to state weather service Météo France.
The exceptional chill in the commune is due in part to a local phenomenon of the Jura mountains known as a “cold hole”.
While the phenomenon was particularly severe on January 4, meteorologist Serge Zaka explained on X that it occurs every year.
“Cold air is denser than warm air. On windless nights, it accumulates in the ‘holes’ on the Jura plateaux. This means that, very locally, it can be 20C colder in the hole than on the plateau’, said Mr Zaka.
Zoom sur le Jura ce matin où les températures ont atteint : -31.1 à La Brévine (frontière Suisse) -28.1°C à la combe de Reculoz -27.4°C au village de La Chaux -25.7°C aux Pontets -23.9°C à La Chapelle des Bois -21.5°C à Maiche >Carte @infoclimat comprenant le réseau StatIC pic.twitter.com/vTtTKolg5i
A total of 30 departments were on high (orange) alert due to the cold on Saturday morning, largely due to the danger of icy roads.
In Paris, the police announced the raising of the ‘cold and ice plan’ from level one to level two - resulting in a reduction of the speed limit by 20km/h on major roads with the exception of the périphérique ring road.
The exceptional measure lasted between 17:00 and midnight on January 5.
🟠 ❄️#Neige#Verglas | Activation du Plan Neige et Verglas en Île-de-France en niveau 2.
Compte tenu des précipitations annoncées dans la soirée, le préfet de Police, préfet de la Zone de défense et de sécurité de Paris, appelle les usagers de la route à la vigilance et renforce… pic.twitter.com/lQL7YHwJcU
The areas in yellow on the map indicate low-level alerts where Météo France advises caution due to potentially dangerous weatherMétéo France
Despite the arrival of a warm air front and southerly gales, many departments remain on alert.
However, the alerts are no longer for cold but due to the strength of the gales, which could reach over 100km/h in some areas.
"With the approach of a disturbance off the Atlantic coast, the wind is set to strengthen over the country during Sunday", says Météo France.
"The southerly wind will become particularly strong from Sunday evening to early afternoon on Monday in the Rhônes-Alpes region, particularly in the south of the affected departments."
