France is experiencing the coldest winter in recent times. Cloudy skies and extreme temperatures are leaving a mark on the country and other areas in northern Europe.
According to a report from Météo-France, the year 2024 was the darkest winter since 1993, and the beginning of 2025 shows no signs of improvement. This lack of natural light has had consequences on the physical and mental health of the population. In addition to unusual climatic phenomena and tragic incidents related to the extreme cold.
According to Météo-France, the lack of sunlight during the winter months has a direct impact on people’s well-being. Exposure to natural light is essential for regulating the circadian rhythm, the human body’s “internal clock” that controls processes such as sleep and feeding.
Armelle Rancillac, a researcher at the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) and the Collège de France, explained to Le Monde that this system needs to be “reset” daily through exposure to light. However, when days are mostly cloudy, this process is interrupted, which can lead to sleep disturbances, fatigue, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.
Psychological and physical consequences of the lack of light due to the coldest winter
The researcher also highlighted that sleep is crucial for functions such as emotional regulation, memory, and concentration, as well as strengthening the immune system. “We can get sick more easily if we have trouble sleeping,” warned Rancillac.
This phenomenon is particularly concerning in winter. Already limited daylight hours are further restricted, and the lack of sunlight exacerbates the negative effects on mental and physical health.
Despite the prevailing gray skies, the inhabitants of France have found moments of wonder in the spectacular sunrises and sunsets that have painted the horizon in reddish tones.
As reported by The Connexion, this phenomenon is due to the way the atmosphere scatters light. Shorter wavelengths, such as blue, are blocked by moisture and particles in the air, while longer wavelengths, such as red, manage to pass through, creating impressive landscapes.
This phenomenon is more common in winter due to the lower position of the sun on the horizon and the increased humidity in the air. A meteorologist from Météo-France explained to Le Monde that “the more humidity the light encounters on its path, the more it diffuses, and the colors of short wavelengths disappear”.
Extreme cold wave and its consequences
The coldest winter affecting northern Europe has had a tragic toll in France. According to AP, two people have lost their lives and twenty others were injured due to adverse weather conditions.
One of the victims died after slipping on a sidewalk and hitting their head, while the other, a homeless person, was found lifeless in the town of Valenciennes.
Authorities in the Nord region detailed that emergency services have responded to numerous incidents related to the cold, including traffic accidents, falls on icy surfaces, and floods.
This scenario has been repeated on the other side of the English Channel, where the UK has also faced extreme temperatures, with lows forecasted to reach -16 degrees Celsius (3.2 degrees Fahrenheit).
From the psychological effects of the lack of sunlight to the deadly risks of cold in northern Europe, weather conditions have impacted both daily life and infrastructure.
Have you checked out our YouTube channel? Subscribe now!
