Certain parts of the world experience a white winter wonderland filled with snow during December. And there is no doubt that Paris, France is getting more than they bargained for when it comes to snow this winter. In December, Paris is usually bursting with quiet and shimmering lights with a autumn feeling. But this December, there is more snow decorating the trees than the lights.
Paris Winter Wonderland
The Metro France reported that Paris had recorded 11cm (4.5in) of snow, which turned into a slushy mess, and vehicles skidded on roads. The French capital has not seen this much snow since the snowfall in 1987.
Due to the amount of snow, Charles de Gaulle airport was recently closed until the runway could be cleared for flights to take off. Only one of four runways is in use. All buses in the capital stopped running as well due to heavy snow.
Daytime temperatures dropped below zero for the first time this year and black ice coated the roads making it very hard for drivers on the road. Additional 5,000 police, including 2,000 in the Paris metropolitan region alone, were deployed to help keep trouble on the roadways to a minimum.
Local Simone Laloum who works in a shop said she watched many people slip and fall on the streets.“We are not prepared here for the snow in Paris, not equipped,” she said. “People don’t want to go out, they’re scared of falling. It doesn’t get cleaned up.”
The Eiffel Tower was also shut down for tourists. Unfortunately The Eiffel Tower can not be sprinkled with salt because of possible damage to the iron structure.
Paris has not seen this kind of weather for a very long time. The snow has caught people off guard and there was a news conference about the weather as well. Read How to Walk Through Snow and Ice and be ready when you head out in the snow.