5 000 vehicles stranded, 36 injured as Storm Caetano hits France
Storm Caetano swept through France on Thursday, November 21, 2024, bringing an unseasonal winter episode with winds reaching 131 km/h (81 mph) and snowfall of up to 16 cm (6.3 inches). The storm caused widespread disruptions, including power outages for over 250 000 homes, severe traffic halts with 5 000 vehicles stranded, and a major accident on Route A6B near Paris that injured 36 people.
Paris firefighters responding to a serious traffic accident on the A6B highway in Chevilly-Larue. The accident involves 1 bus, 4 light vehicles, and 1 motorcycle. Image credit: PompiersParis
- Storm Caetano brought unusually severe early winter weather to France this week, with heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures as low as -10.8 °C (12.6 °F).
- Over 250 000 homes were left without electricity due to the storm’s strong winds and severe weather conditions.
- Hazardous road conditions caused a multi-vehicle accident on Route A6B near Paris, involving a bus, four cars, and a motorbike. Thirty-six people were injured, including five with severe injuries requiring hospitalization.
- Traffic came to a standstill on key highways like the A36, where 5 000 vehicles were stranded due to snow. Train services in northern regions were also significantly affected.
- Capital Paris experienced its highest November snowfall in 56 years.
Storm Caetano passed over France on Thursday, bringing an early winter episode with strong winds and heavy snowfall. It continued to affect the Corsica and Pyrenees regions on Friday, November 22.
The storm left over 250 000 homes without power and caused severe traffic disruptions across the country.
An accident occurred on Route A6B near Paris, where a bus overturned, injuring 36 people, five of whom were severely injured and hospitalized. Four cars and a motorbike were also involved in the accident.
Traffic was halted along the A28 and A36 motorways, leaving hundreds of trucks stranded due to heavy snowfall in eastern France. By 11:00 local time (LT) on Friday, approximately 5 000 vehicles were stuck on the A36.
Lorries were banned on the A36 until 14:00 LT on Friday, leaving them stranded. Drivers were advised to avoid traveling on the route.
Several trains were canceled, and services were reduced in the northern region, particularly in Normandy.
Conditions were expected to improve throughout Friday as temperatures rise and snow melts. A sharp increase in temperatures is forecast for Sunday, November 24.
Under the influence of descending polar air, temperatures dropped significantly, with freezing conditions recorded in some areas on Friday morning. The lowest temperature was -10.8 °C (12.6 °F) in Bourdons-sur-Rognon, followed by -8.4 °C (16.9 °F) in Wy-dit, Vexin.
Significant snowfall was recorded nationwide, with snow reported from Normandy to Paris and the Grand Est region.
Paris recorded 4 cm (1.57 inches) of snow on Thursday, marking the highest November snowfall in 56 years. The Eiffel Tower was closed to visitors due to snow accumulation.
Maximum snow depths were reported in Roissy at 16 cm (6.3 inches), followed by Sélestat with 15 cm (5.9 inches) of snow.
Snow depths of 13 cm (5.1 inches) were recorded in Territoire de Belfort’s Dorans and Luxeuil-les-Bains, while Chartres, Langres, and Epinal reported 11 cm (4.3 inches) of snow.
Strong winds were reported across the country during the storm, with violent westerlies developing on Thursday from the south along the Atlantic Coast, extending from New Aquitaine to Southern Brittany, and moving eastwards.
The highest wind speeds of 131 km/h (81.4 mph) were recorded in Plovan and Chambéry-Aix. Winds exceeding 120 km/h (74 mph) were also reported in Cap-Ferret, Saint-Nazaire, Quimper, Lorient, Noirmoutier, La Rochelle, Pointe de Socoa, Clermont-Ferrand, and Nantes.
In Corsica, strong winds intensified from Thursday night to Friday, with gusts reaching 100 – 130 km/h (62 – 81 mph) in exposed areas.
References:
1 Tempête CAETANO : un épisode hivernal précoce avec neige en plaine et vents violent – MeteoFrance – November 22, 2024
2 Motorway crash, drivers stranded, power cuts: Storm Caetano wreaks havoc across France – The Connexion – November 22, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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