Météo-France reports that snow cover is minimal below 1,800 to 2,000 meters altitude, with areas below 1,400 meters almost entirely devoid of snow. In contrast, high-altitude regions have snow levels close to seasonal norms.
Chastreix, Massif Central, 22 Feb 2025 (credit: OT)
Alps
February has been notably dry, leading to diminished snowfall. However, early winter snowfalls have sustained adequate snow cover in high mountain areas (above 1,800 meters), especially on north-facing slopes. South-facing slopes have experienced some thaw due to sun exposure. The Mercantour and Thabor regions are exceptions, with poor conditions. At mid-mountain elevations, below 1,800 meters, lack of snow is obvious and a recurring issue in recent winters. The deficit is particularly pronounced below 1,500 meters, affecting all mountain ranges. Continuous snow cover is found on north-facing slopes between 1,100 and 1,400 meters in the Northern Alps and between 1,400 and 1,600 meters in the Southern Alps.
Corsica
Snow cover in Corsica is also below average, starting at 1,500 meters on north-facing slopes. Snow depth reaches 1.2 meters at the summit of Maniccia, which is considered poor for this typically snow-rich area in the Restonica Valley.
Pyrenees
In the Pyrenees, natural snow cover below 1,400 to 1,500 meters is rare, with only isolated patches remaining. Continuous snow is present on north-facing slopes from 1,600 to 1,700 meters, though it remains thin below 2,000 meters. Higher elevations have adequate snow, particularly in the western and central border massifs. Eastern areas, notably the Pyrénées-Orientales, are less snow-covered due to below-average precipitation since the season's start.
Vosges
The already limited snow cover in the Vosges has been further reduced by significant warming. In the Hautes-Vosges, natural snow is nearly absent below 1,200 meters. Above 1,300 meters, only a few centimeters of snow remain. In the northern part of the massif, snow can still be found down to 800 meters. At 1,100 meters, snow depth occasionally reaches 10 centimeters, but this is unlikely to withstand the anticipated warming in the coming days.
Jura
The Jura massif exhibits almost no natural snow, with only residual patches remaining above 1,300 meters.
Massif Central
Following a recent thaw, only a few centimeters of snow persist above 1,500 meters on north-facing slopes.
In summary, while high-altitude regions maintain near-normal snow levels, lower elevations are experiencing significant snow deficits, continuing a trend observed in recent winters.