France braces for sudden Arctic blast after record spring warmth
A sharp drop in temperatures is set to hit France by the end of the week. After weeks of unusually mild spring-like weather, cold conditions, frost, and heavy snow are now forecast across much of the country.
The change follows record warmth along the Atlantic coast, where February 2026 ranked as the fifth-warmest on record.
Overnight frosts will affect gardens and farms in the north, east, and central regions. Morning temperatures could plunge to 0°C in these areas, with daytime highs struggling to reach 5°C by Saturday—around 10°C colder than last week's peak.
Snow is expected across the Massif Central, with accumulations of 10cm to 20cm. In the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, low-altitude snowfall is likely, while higher ground above 1,500m may see up to 40cm. Rain will sweep in from the Atlantic, covering much of the north and west. Meanwhile, a powerful storm is set to strike the Riviera and Rhône Valley this weekend, bringing over 80mm of rain and winds up to 80 km/h. By early next week, temperatures could remain 3°C below the mid-March average. The sudden shift follows weeks of unseasonably warm weather along the Atlantic coast, where areas like Saint-Malo and Biarritz enjoyed daily highs of 16–18°C since early January.
The cold snap marks a dramatic turn after one of the mildest winters on record. Farmers, gardeners, and travellers are advised to prepare for frost, snow, and stormy conditions.
Forecasters warn that temperatures will stay well below normal into next week, affecting large parts of the country.
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