Khaberni - Heavy snowfall and ice formation in France led to fatal accidents and major transportation disruptions, amidst official recognition of inaccurate weather forecasts.
The snowfall and ice formation resulted in the death of at least five people on the French roads, along with significant traffic disruptions, at a time when the Transport Ministry admitted that the meteorological services had not anticipated the weather to be this severe.
Three people perished in two incidents caused by ice in the southwest of the country, while a driver died after his car fell into the Marne River near Paris. These incidents occurred one day after a truck driver died when his vehicle slid on ice in the Paris region as well.
Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot stated that the meteorological services had not predicted the conditions to worsen to this extent, calling for a reassessment of the mechanisms used in forecasting and dealing with such cases.
He added that Monday night to Tuesday was relatively better in the Paris area, where measures were taken to prevent cars from sliding as people returned to their homes, or to avoid being caught in severe traffic jams.
The heavy accumulation of snow, unusually so, caused major disruptions in the railway network.
The meteorological service issued an orange alert due to snow and ice, which is the second level on a four-color scale, the top being red indicating extreme danger, before it was lifted at ten o'clock in the morning.
The weather service stated that the temperatures were very low, ranging from three degrees Celsius below zero to minus eight degrees, and down to minus ten degrees, leading to ice formation. One of the drivers stuck in their vehicles described the roads in southwest France as "akin to a skating rink."
Disruptions on the roads are expected to continue on Wednesday, with "widespread snowfall and sleet in northern France," according to the meteorological agency "Météo France".
The severe weather led to the suspension of school transportation in several areas, including Brittany in the west, where residents are not accustomed to such conditions, and in Vendée in the west of the country, where the thickness of the snow is unusual.
The national railway company announced on Tuesday morning the suspension of several lines in western France, along with slowing down some trains on other routes. In Paris, the situation began to improve on Tuesday morning, as about thirty bus lines from the network were reactivated after the snowfall had suspended them.
Similar to several European airports, the weather conditions disrupted the operations of take-offs and landings at the main Paris airports, Charles de Gaulle and Orly. The Transport Minister said on Monday that 250 snow plows were put on alert at the airports.
