Public transport operators in Île de France are bracing for further disruption as storm Goretti brings a new episode of violent winds on top of days of snow and ice, raising the prospect that several tram lines and the region’s first urban cable car could be slowed or even shut down for safety reasons in the coming hours.

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Storm Goretti Hits an Already Fragile Network

Paris and the wider Île de France region entered an orange wind alert from Météo France on Thursday evening, January 8, 2026, with gusts forecast at up to around 100 kilometers per hour locally overnight.

The warning comes barely 24 hours after heavy snow and ice triggered an unprecedented suspension of the entire regional bus network and widespread disruption across RER, Transilien and metro services.

Authorities and operators are now warning that this second phase of the weather episode, dominated by wind rather than snow, could have particular consequences for exposed surface transport such as trams and aerial systems.

Tram lines that run on reserved tracks bordered by trees or roadside furniture are especially vulnerable to falling branches and debris, while the new Câble C1 cable car in Val de Marne is required to reduce speed or stop altogether if wind thresholds are exceeded.

Travelers are being urged to check real time information before setting out, build extra time into journeys, and prepare for last minute route changes if gusts strengthen overnight as expected.

Officials are emphasizing that service reductions and shutdowns are precautionary and temporary, framed as necessary measures to avoid accidents and speed up the post storm recovery.

Why Trams and Cable Cars Are Especially Sensitive to Wind

While metro tunnels and much of the RER network are sheltered from the elements, tram lines in Île de France are almost entirely at street level, many running down the center of wide boulevards or along rail embankments.

Strong winds can blow debris, signage or tree branches onto tracks, interfere with overhead power lines, and make it difficult to maintain safe braking distances, particularly where road traffic crosses tramways at intersections.

Operators say the threshold for slowing or suspending tram service is lower than for heavy rail, because lighter rolling stock is more exposed to lateral gusts, especially on raised sections or viaducts.

Even when the risk of a vehicle being destabilized is minimal, the chance of obstacles on the line increases sharply during a windstorm, making cautious speed reductions or short turn operations more likely. These can translate quickly into significant delays across a line.

The region’s new Câble C1 line between Créteil Pointe du Lac and Villeneuve Saint Georges adds another layer of complexity.

By design, urban cable cars must adhere to strict meteorological operating rules, which include automatic responses when wind speeds at pylon height cross specified thresholds.

The system can reduce cabin speed when sustained winds climb above about 70 kilometers per hour, and must be halted entirely if gusts exceed around 90 kilometers per hour. In that scenario, cabins are brought into stations and service is suspended until conditions improve.

Fresh From Inauguration, Cable C1 Faces First Major Weather Test

Câble C1, inaugurated on December 13, 2025, has quickly become a symbol of the Paris region’s efforts to expand sustainable, high capacity transit into underserved suburbs.

The 4.5 kilometer line, equipped with over one hundred ten seat cabins, links four municipalities and is designed to carry some 11,000 passengers per day once fully ramped up.

The line’s promoter, Île de France Mobilités, has always presented the cable car as an all weather system able to operate year round, but with clearly defined safety margins in case of extreme conditions.

In official documents, the authority notes that the Val de Marne corridor is historically less affected by the most violent wind episodes than coastal or high altitude areas, yet the specifications call for automatic slowdowns from roughly 70 kilometers per hour and full stoppage around 90 kilometers per hour of wind.

In such a case, replacement bus services are supposed to be deployed to maintain a basic level of connectivity between Créteil, Limeil Brévannes, Valenton and Villeneuve Saint Georges.

The challenge during the current weather sequence is that bus fleets themselves have been severely disrupted by snow and icy roads since January 7, limiting the room for maneuver if both surface routes and the cable car need to be curtailed simultaneously.

Recent Snow Chaos Shows How Quickly the System Can Grind to a Halt

The prospect of wind related stoppages comes hard on the heels of one of the most chaotic winter days the region has seen in recent years.

On Wednesday, January 7, as several centimeters of snow and episodes of freezing rain hit the capital and its suburbs, RATP and other operators progressively suspended bus operations on nearly 1,900 lines, halting around 10,000 vehicles for safety reasons as road surfaces became dangerously slick.

Rail based modes, which generally remain more resilient in wintry conditions, also suffered.

Several RER and Transilien lines moved to very reduced service as signaling systems and turnouts struggled with ice, while sections of the Paris metro that run above ground, such as parts of line 6, reported snow related disruptions.

Air travel did not escape the turmoil either, with around 150 flights canceled at the region’s two main airports as ground operations slowed.

Against this backdrop, the arrival of storm Goretti risks compounding a fragile situation rather than creating an entirely new one.

Even if major snowfall is no longer forecast, saturated soils and vegetation weakened by the recent cold snap make it more likely that branches and even entire trees could be toppled by the coming gusts, hitting tram catenaries or tracks and complicating efforts to restore normal operations quickly.

How Operators Decide When to Slow or Stop Service

Transport authorities in Île de France rely on a combination of forecasts from Météo France, on the ground measurements at key locations, and operational feedback from drivers and line controllers to decide when to adjust service.

The orange wind alert in force for January 8 and 9 does not automatically trigger shutdowns, but it prompts heightened vigilance and contingency planning, particularly for exposed modes such as trams and cable cars.

For Câble C1, the operating rules are codified in its safety case and approved by national regulators of cableways and guided transport. Sensors along the route continuously monitor wind speed and direction.

When readings climb above the first threshold, cabin speed is reduced to improve comfort and maintain safe clearances.

If winds strengthen further, staff prepare for a full stop, which includes ensuring that all cabins can be brought into stations without leaving passengers stranded mid route.

On tram lines, there are fewer rigid numerical thresholds and more situational judgment. Dispatchers may choose to cut back service frequency, shorten lines, or impose slower running times on sections bordered by large trees or open spaces.

In some cases, services are proactively suspended during the height of a storm window to avoid stranding passengers if debris falls and blocks the tracks. These decisions are taken in coordination with regional crisis cells, local authorities and, where relevant, national rail infrastructure managers.

Contingency Measures and What Travelers Can Expect

If wind related shutdowns occur on tram lines or Câble C1 overnight or on Friday morning, passengers should expect a mix of replacement buses, diversions to nearby RER or metro stations, and the use of alternative tram routes where the network layout allows.

However, travel planners warn that replacement bus capacity may be more limited than usual because many vehicles and drivers have been reassigned during the ongoing winter episode, and some roads may still be difficult to negotiate.

In practice, that means longer waits at stops, more crowded vehicles where services are running, and the possibility that routes could change on short notice as conditions evolve.

Travelers heading to key employment hubs, hospitals or universities in the southeastern suburbs may feel the impact particularly sharply if Câble C1, designed precisely to shorten such commutes, is obliged to shut down for several hours during peak times.

Operators are advising passengers to rely on official apps and station displays rather than static timetables, and to consider postponing non essential journeys if possible.

For those who must travel, allowing significantly more time than usual is recommended, especially where a journey involves a connection between different modes.

Officials stress that once winds subside below safety thresholds, the priority will be to restart trunk lines first, then gradually restore full frequency as inspections of infrastructure and rolling stock confirm there is no hidden damage.

Longer Term Questions on Climate Resilience

The combination of heavy snowfall, freezing rain and violent winds within the space of a few days has reignited debate about the resilience of Île de France’s transport network to increasingly volatile weather patterns.

Urban planners and environmental groups have long argued that trams and cable cars offer low carbon, space efficient mobility, but recent events underscore that these surface modes are also directly exposed to the atmosphere and may need targeted investment to cope with more frequent extremes.

Ideas under discussion include more systematic pruning and management of trees along tram corridors, stronger anchoring and protection of catenary systems, and the integration of additional sensors to better anticipate wind or icing risks.

For aerial cable systems, future projects may be required to consider higher design wind speeds or incorporate more robust emergency operating procedures, though that could increase costs.

Regional officials insist that the goal is not to discourage the rollout of surface and aerial transit, but to refine how such lines are planned and managed.

They argue that even with occasional weather related shutdowns, trams and cable cars can significantly reduce car dependency and emissions, provided that passengers are given clear, timely information and viable alternatives when storms do hit.

FAQ

Q1. Are tram lines in Île de France currently shut down because of the wind?
Some tram lines may face speed reductions, partial suspensions or temporary shutdowns during the peak of storm Goretti, especially overnight and on Friday morning, depending on real time wind conditions and any debris on the tracks. Travelers should consult live traffic information for the latest status on specific lines.

Q2. What happens to the Câble C1 cable car if wind speeds exceed safety limits?
When measured winds approach around 70 kilometers per hour, Câble C1 cabins run more slowly to maintain comfort and safety. If gusts exceed roughly 90 kilometers per hour, operations must be halted, cabins are brought back into stations, and replacement bus services are deployed where road conditions allow.

Q3. Will replacement buses always be available if trams or the cable car stop?
Replacement buses are planned as part of emergency procedures, but during severe weather like the current combination of snow, ice and wind, bus operations themselves can be constrained. In some areas, capacity may be limited or routes may be modified, so passengers should expect longer waiting times and possible detours.

Q4. How can I find out if my tram or cable car journey is affected?
Passengers are advised to check official transport applications, real time route planners and information screens in stations shortly before departure. These tools are updated throughout the day to reflect any changes caused by the storm, including short term suspensions, reduced frequencies or alternative routes.

Q5. Is it safe to ride a cable car during strong winds?
Urban cable cars like Câble C1 operate under strict safety regulations and are designed to withstand typical regional wind conditions. Automatic and manual procedures ensure that if winds approach levels that would compromise safety or comfort, the system slows or stops before risks become unacceptable, and cabins are not left suspended on the line.

Q6. Why are buses more affected by snow and ice than trams and cable cars?
Buses depend directly on road conditions, which can become slippery or blocked by accidents when snow and ice are present. Trams run on dedicated tracks with steel wheels and tend to maintain better adhesion, while cable cars are detached from road traffic altogether. However, all three modes can be indirectly affected by weather, through power supply, access to depots or infrastructure damage.

Q7. Could the wind disrupt RER and metro services as well?
Most metro lines and parts of the RER run underground or in sheltered corridors, which protect them from direct wind effects. Exposed sections, particularly elevated tracks or stations, may be subject to speed restrictions or cautionary measures, but large scale shutdowns for wind alone are less common than for street level modes like trams.

Q8. How long do wind related shutdowns usually last?
The duration depends on the intensity and timing of the storm. If gusts drop below safety thresholds quickly and inspections find no damage, services can resume within a few hours. If trees, branches or other objects fall onto tracks, overhead lines or pylons, clearance and repairs may lengthen the interruption into much of the day.

Q9. Are further weather disruptions expected after storm Goretti?
Meteorologists indicate that the most critical wind episode around Paris and Île de France is expected between the night of January 8 and the morning of January 9. Forecasts can evolve, so travelers planning trips over the coming days should continue monitoring official weather bulletins and transport updates to anticipate any additional disturbances.

Q10. What can passengers do to minimize the impact on their travel plans?
Transport authorities recommend postponing non essential journeys, working remotely if possible, allowing substantial extra time for necessary trips, and considering alternative routes that rely more on underground or less exposed modes. Dressing warmly, carrying water and a charged phone, and staying flexible about connections can also help manage delays during this kind of exceptional weather situation.