February 1991: Cold Wave and Widespread Snowfall Across France
Paris, February 6, 2026 – Thirty-five years ago, in February 1991, France was gripped by a significant cold wave that brought exceptionally low temperatures and widespread snowfall across the country, from Brittany to the French Riviera. This event, driven by a powerful anticyclone over Scandinavia, saw temperatures drop to -20°C in some plains and left many unaccustomed regions blanketed in snow.
Temperatures Plummet to -20°C in Plains
The cold wave began in early February, reaching its peak on February 7 and 8, 1991. A powerful anticyclone, with pressures nearing 1050 hPa, was positioned over Scandinavia, forcing depressions southward. At the start of February, an Italian depression intensified the easterly flow, drawing in a cold air mass from Eastern Europe. This air mass reached a remarkably low -20°C at 850 hPa (around 1500m) over northern France and the Benelux region.
During this period, thermometers across a large northern half of France plunged below -10°C. Luxeuil-les-Bains in Haute-Saône registered a chilling -20.3°C. Other notable low temperatures included nearly -16°C in Reims and Romorantin, around -15°C in Nancy and Chartres, -13.6°C in Le Mans, -13.5°C in Cognac, and -11.5°C in Paris. Although this cold snap was less prolonged than some of the 20th century’s most severe, its intensity caused many bodies of water to freeze solid, including the lake in Paris’s Bois de Boulogne, which was reportedly traversable on foot.
Snowfall from Brittany to the French Riviera
The cold air mass also created unstable conditions conducive to significant snowfall, affecting regions not typically accustomed to such events. On Thursday, February 7, 1991, as the cold air passed over the English Channel and a depression formed in the Bay of Biscay, a substantial snow wave swept across the country.
In Brittany, Brest was covered by 14 cm of snow, with temperatures remaining at -3°C in the afternoon. Snow showers continued in the following days, with Saint-Brieuc (Côtes-d’Armor) recording 17 cm of snow by February 10.
The snowfall extended beyond northern France, reaching the Mediterranean coast, including the French Riviera. On February 7, Cannes measured 8 cm of snow on the ground, and Nice received 9 cm. This episode surprised residents, who are rarely witness to such phenomena. However, it was still less severe than the snowfall during the January 1985 cold wave, which saw 24 cm in Cannes and 38 cm in Nice.
This historic weather event serves as a reminder of the extreme conditions that can affect France, even in regions typically known for milder climates.
Source: meteo-paris.com
