France Activates Cold Weather Plan as Arctic Chill Grips Multiple Departments

France faces its coldest Christmas in over a decade. Several departments have activated the “Grand Froid” plan to protect vulnerable people as temperatures plunge well below zero across the country.

The Christmas season has turned into an icy ordeal across much of France, as the government activates the “plan grand froid” (cold weather plan) in response to biting sub-zero temperatures. According to Météo-France, this is the coldest Christmas week since 2010, with temperatures across northern and eastern France dropping as low as -8°C.

Fifteen years have passed since France last faced a Christmas this frigid, making the current cold wave a serious public health concern, especially for the homeless and vulnerable populations.

Departments Under Cold Weather Alert

More than a dozen departments have now activated various levels of the cold weather emergency plan. Among them are:

Nord and Somme, where the level 2 alert has been triggered.
Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin, Mayenne, Normandy, and Pas-de-Calais, now on level 1 watch.
Western and central departments including Aisne, Aube, Vosges, Côtes-d’Armor, Finistère, and Ille-et-Vilaine have also enacted local cold-weather measures.

These regions are experiencing below-average temperatures for several consecutive days, with frost and icy winds extending across much of France.

What the Cold Weather Plan Means

France’s “Plan Grand Froid” operates on a three-tiered alert system, depending on how severe and prolonged the cold conditions are:

Level 1: Night temperatures around 0°C to -5°C.
Level 2: Daytime temperatures below freezing and nights between -5°C and -10°C.
Level 3: Extreme cold with nighttime lows below -10°C.

The primary goals of the plan are to:

Provide emergency shelter for the homeless and those without heating.
Extend operating hours of shelters and day centres, including weekends.
Increase outreach patrols (known as maraudes) and resources for the 115 emergency hotline.

In Seine-et-Marne, for instance, authorities have opened 27 temporary beds in a local college at Tournan-en-Brie. Similar shelters are being set up in municipal halls, gyms, and schools nationwide.

Measures Reinforced Until Next Week

Given that temperatures are expected to remain dangerously low into next week, prefectures are maintaining enhanced support services through early January.

Météo-France has also placed sixteen departments under yellow “cold weather” vigilance, urging residents to remain cautious, particularly during nighttime and early morning hours.

Health officials are reminding the public to check in on elderly neighbours, isolated individuals, and families with young children, as these groups are at higher risk of hypothermia or frostbite.

Staying Safe During the Cold Wave

Authorities are also offering practical advice for households and commuters across France:

Limit outdoor exposure, especially during early morning hours.
Dress in multiple layers and cover extremities to avoid frostbite.
Ventilate your home briefly each day to avoid carbon monoxide buildup from heating systems.
Avoid risky heating methods, such as using charcoal or gas heaters indoors.

If you see someone who appears to be homeless or in distress, you can call 115 anywhere in France for immediate assistance.

The Coldest Winter in Years?

Meteorologists note that while this cold snap may not last the entire winter, it could signal a return to harsher seasonal patterns across Europe. Arctic air masses, combined with stable high-pressure systems, are expected to keep much of northern France in sub-zero conditions for several days.

For those living in rural or less urbanised regions, roads could become icy, and power disruptions are possible if the severe cold persists. Local authorities encourage residents to stay informed through Météo-France updates and follow prefectural announcements for potential new shelter openings or alerts.