The snowstorm currently affecting Paris and the Île-de-France region on Sunday, February 15, 2026 is causing serious disruptions at the city's main airports, Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and Orly. The DGAC (French Civil Aviation Authority) has instructed airlines to cut their flight schedules by 30% at Roissy between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., and by 20% at Orly from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Many flights have been canceled this Sunday, mainly affecting short- and medium-haul routes.
All eight departments in the region are under orange snow-ice warning, issued at 8 a.m. this Sunday morning by Météo France. Snowfall began as early as 6 a.m. in the western part of the region, with rates of around 1 cm per hour and total accumulations estimated between 1 and 3 cm. In total, fifteen departments are on alert, covering all of Île-de-France, the Hauts-de-France, Côte-d'Or, and Haute-Marne. The ground, already chilled by the recent passage of Storm Nils, is conducive to snow settling and the formation of ice patches, making driving conditions especially hazardous.
These preventive theft reductions are implemented to prevent runway and taxiway congestion during aircraft de-icing operations. Each aircraft requires additional procedures before takeoff, extending turnaround times and naturally limiting the number of flights airports can handle. The cancellations affect both departures and arrivals, with a priority given to flights that have alternative options, especially train routes. The impact is also felt in the provinces: for instance, in Nice, flights to and from Paris are already canceled this Sunday morning.
Recall that during the last winter episode in early January 2026, a 15% reduction in flights led to average delays of several tens of minutes and approximately 140 flights canceled across the two airports. This time, the impact is expected to be more significant in volume, with reductions possibly doubling. However, authorities are hopeful that these proactive adjustments will help better manage the situation compared to January, when Roissy experienced cancellations of up to 40% and Orly 25%.
Beyond just the airports, all commuting in Île-de-France is affected this Sunday. On the regional roads, a snow and ice alert issued by the Prefecture of Police has been in effect since this morning: speed limits are reduced by 20 km/h on all major routes from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Heavy trucks over 3.5 tonnes, passenger transport vehicles, and those carrying hazardous materials are not allowed to overtake. Major roads such as the N118 or the A86 could quickly face disruptions under these conditions. As for public transport, SNCF has not altered its schedule for now but urges travelers to remain cautious. Meanwhile, Île-de-France Mobilités warns that accumulating snow on the ground may temporarily hinder bus operations on surface routes. It's advisable to check your line's status via the app or the IDFM website before heading out and to allow extra time for your journey.
Snow in Île-de-France: Disruptions Expected in Transit and Reduced Speeds on Roads
Snow is certainly present this Sunday, February 15, 2026, in Île-de-France. Under an orange alert, transportation and traffic are disrupted across the region. Bus services are affected, and travel speeds are reduced on the roads—here’s the latest update on the situation. [Read more]
What rights do passengers have when their flight is canceled due to snow?
If you are affected by a flight cancellation this Sunday, be aware that European regulation CE 261/2004 protects your rights. Weather conditions are classified as "extraordinary circumstances," which means airlines are not obliged to pay flat-rate compensation. However, you still have the right to request either a full refund for your ticket or rebooking on another flight under comparable conditions. Airlines are also required to provide meals, drinks, and accommodation if you face a lengthy delay. As of February 7, 2026, the process has also changed: in case of a dispute with an airline, you now need to go through mediation before taking legal action. All the details are available on the website economie.gouv.fr.
The DGAC advises passengers to check their flight status directly with their airline or on the Paris Airport website before heading to the airport. If your trip isn’t urgent, authorities recommend postponing it. Also, remember to visit the RATP website for updates on public transportation services.
In short, if you're flying out of Paris this Sunday, it's strongly recommended that you check the status of your flight and prepare for possible delays. The good news is that this snowy spell is expected to be short-lived, with warmer weather forecast for the afternoon and rain returning to quickly melt the snow.
The Île-de-France region has been placed on orange alert for snow and ice this Sunday, February 15, 2026. All eight departments in the area are affected by this snowfall, which is expected to last until early afternoon, with accumulations ranging from 1 to 5 centimeters in some places. [Read more]
Snow in Île-de-France: Disruptions Expected in Transit and Reduced Speeds on Roads
Snowfall in Île-de-France: Paris and the region put on orange alert for snow and ice
