Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France – Christmas Eve brings confirmed snowfall to the Rhône region and Lyon, with Météo-France placing the department under a yellow snow and ice vigilance. This alert, issued on Wednesday, December 24th, is expected to last through the night until Christmas Day, as forecasters anticipate “notable quantities” of snow in certain areas.
Snowfall Expected Across Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
A significant weather disturbance is set to traverse the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region from east to west during the night of Wednesday, December 24th, to Thursday, December 25th. This system is predicted to bring snow down to the plains, with particularly heavy accumulations possible in zones where a clash between cold air from the north and warmer, humid air from the Mediterranean is most pronounced, according to Météo-France’s daily bulletin. The Ardèche and Drôme departments are currently under an orange vigilance, while the Rhône remains in yellow, with a potential for escalation in the coming hours.
Higher Accumulations in Nord Isère and Southern Rhône
Météo-France indicates that the snowfall activity is expected to be more intense in the Drôme and Ardèche, but could extend northward into the Nord Isère, southern Loire, and southern Rhône departments. In the Rhône Valley, “a few centimeters” of snow are forecast, though specific figures have not yet been provided. The agency warns that an upgrade to an orange snow/ice vigilance is possible for departments currently under yellow alert, including the Rhône, with subsequent updates to the vigilance map.
As reported by [actu.fr](https://actu.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/lyon_69123/la-neige-encore-annoncee-par-meteo-france-dans-le-rhone-les-secteurs-concernes_63468702.html), earlier forecasts for the Rhône also indicated potential snowfall. However, recent updates suggest a more widespread impact. While some forecasts from [actus.meteocity.com](https://actus.meteocity.com/actualites-meteo/meteo-auvergne-rhone-alpes-semaine-plutot-ensoleillee-avec-un-net-redoux-2991) predicted a sunnier and milder week for Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the current Christmas forecast points to colder conditions. [lyoncapitale.fr](https://www.lyoncapitale.fr/actualite/neige-et-verglas-neuf-departements-d-auvergne-rhone-alpes-en-vigilance) also highlighted earlier vigilance for snow and ice across nine departments in the region, including the Rhône, on November 25th.
Snow Expected from Morning Through Christmas Eve
The first flakes may appear as early as this morning in the northern Rhône sectors of Trades and Beaujeu, as well as Saint-Symphorien-sur-Coize in the south. By the afternoon, the snow activity is predicted to expand to Thizy and Tarare. The most significant snowfall for the entire Rhône, including Lyon and its metropolitan area, is anticipated for the evening of Christmas Eve, with precipitation continuing throughout Christmas night across the department. The vigilance is expected to conclude around 5:00 AM on December 25th, according to Météo-France.
For those in Lyon, Météo-France provides detailed forecasts on its website, including information on precipitation. [meteofrance.com](https://meteofrance.com/recherche/lyon) offers local weather updates and alerts for the city.
This confirmed Christmas snowfall follows earlier predictions of continued snow in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, as noted by [actus.meteocity.com](https://actus.meteocity.com/actualites-meteo/meteo-auvergne-rhone-alpes-encore-de-la-neige-cette-semaine-2829) in early December. Residents are advised to stay updated on the latest weather alerts and take necessary precautions for travel and outdoor activities during the festive period.
Source: actu.fr
