Snow forces 140 Paris flight cancellations

Disruption anticipated overnight

The disruption had been forecast late on Tuesday. Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot told CNews television that he was “hoping the situation returns to normal this afternoon.”

Public transport impact

All public bus services in Paris and its surrounding suburbs were suspended because of icy roads. However, transport officials said the vast majority of metro and suburban rail services continued to operate.

Weather alerts across France

The Météo-France reported that 38 of France’s 96 mainland departments were on alert for heavy snow and black ice, with three to seven centimetres (around one to three inches) of snow already accumulated.

Rare cold snap and safety warnings

Météo-France described the cold snap as being of “rare intensity for the season.” Authorities had urged residents in the Paris region to avoid unnecessary travel and work from home where possible on Wednesday.

Fatalities linked to severe weather

Authorities said six people have died in weather-related accidents in France during Europe’s bitterest cold snap of the winter so far.