LYON, December 24 – The Rhône department, including the city of Lyon, has been placed under a yellow alert for snow and ice by Météo-France, with snowfall confirmed for Christmas Eve. The alert, which began at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, December 24th, is expected to last until early night, bringing a festive, albeit cold, atmosphere to the region.
Widespread Alert Across Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
A significant portion of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region is affected by this vigilance, with the Rhône department specifically experiencing the alert from Wednesday afternoon. While the main snowfall is anticipated for Christmas Eve, light flurries are also expected during Christmas night, transitioning into Thursday.
Up to 3 Centimeters of Snow in Lowlands
Despite the festive timing, the snowfall event for this Christmas Eve is expected to be relatively light. Météo-France forecasts a maximum of 3 centimeters of snow in lowland areas. This aligns with broader predictions for what is anticipated to be the coldest Christmas in France in 15 years.
Affected Areas and Timing of Snowfall
The snow is projected to arrive in the department starting Wednesday afternoon, particularly in the northern sectors of Trades, Beaujeu, and Thizy, as well as Tarare and Saint-Symphorien-sur-Coize in the south and west. As the evening progresses, the snowfall is expected to become more widespread across the Rhône, with temperatures ranging from -1°C to 0°C.
Areas likely to see snow in the evening include Lyon and its metropolitan area, Pusignan, Neuville-sur-Saône, Villefranche-sur-Saône, L’Arbresle, Belleville, Tarare, Thizy, Soucieu-en-Jarrest, and Vienne in northern Isère.
Overnight Snow Persistence and Christmas Day Outlook
During the night of December 24th to 25th, snow is expected to persist in specific areas such as Neuville-sur-Saône, Villefranche-sur-Saône, L’Arbresle, Tarare, Thizy, Soucieu-en-Jarrest, and Vienne in northern Isère. Lyon and its immediate metropolitan area are not expected to see continued snowfall through the night.
For Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25th, Météo-France indicates no further snowfall. Instead, residents can anticipate a cold day with temperatures between 1°C and 3°C in the afternoon, followed by similar cold temperatures overnight, but accompanied by sunshine.
This weather event marks a notable Christmas for the region, bringing a touch of winter magic just in time for the holidays, while also necessitating vigilance due to the yellow alert for snow and ice.
Source: https://actu.fr/meteo/lyon-des-chutes-de-neige-dans-le-rhone-a-noel-vigilance-activee-les-secteurs-touches_63616970.html
