Overview
- The perturbation crossing the country Wednesday brings widespread rain, sharp northwesterly winds, and a rapid drop of roughly 6–10°C in 24–48 hours, according to Météo‑France and regional outlets.
- Wind hazards intensify on exposed coasts and caps with 70–90 km/h gusts near the Channel and more than 110 km/h in Corsica under the depression dubbed Deborah, while mistral and tramontane strengthen across the Mediterranean.
- Snow returns to the mountains with 10–20 cm expected above about 1,000 m from the Jura to the Alps, and flakes reaching lower elevations for late March in the east, with a rain‑snow line locally near 600–800 m.
- Frequent frosts are forecast Friday morning in central and eastern regions, and agroclimatologist Serge Zaka warns that readings near −5°C in susceptible valleys could scorch buds on fruit trees and other early vegetation.
- Forecasters describe a brief spring cold spell rather than a prolonged cold wave, yet they expect a cool, unsettled pattern to linger through late March and possibly into early April, a common swing during seasonal transition.