Strong storms to hit southern France, heightened warnings coming

Strong storms are set to hit the south of France, lasting until tomorrow and bringing heightened alerts for rain.

Persistent drizzly showers in the south of France along the western Mediterranean coast are forecast this morning, despite the abnormally warm temperatures expected in the region and across the country. 

There is a risk of this rainfall developing into storms, and from midday tier-two yellow warnings for stormy conditions start to be implemented in five departments: Lozère, Gard, Hérault, Aude, Pyrénées-Orientales.

The first three departments listed will also see tier-two alerts for heavy rainfall / flash flooding implemented.

Tier-two yellow warnings ask residents to remain vigilant, although they do not require specific actions. 

However, it is prudent for homeowners to prepare properties for any storms. 

This includes securing outdoor furniture, parking cars away from trees that may be uprooted, and ensuring you have an emergency kit of supplies in case of a power cut. 

More information on what to do including if your property is damaged can be seen in our article here. 

Heightened alerts on Wednesday 

The storms are set to become more intense as the evening goes on, moving north and east. 

“These showers will intensify significantly during the latter part of Tuesday night and throughout the day on Wednesday, accompanied by intense thunderstorms and heavy rainfall accumulating over a short period,” said state forecaster Météo France in its bulletin today. 

Up to 80mm of rainfall could fall per hour in the Cévennes mountain range, with up to 300mm falling across the two days, it said. 

In turn, heightened tier-three orange warnings are set to come into force in Lozère, Gard, and Hérault from midnight for storm conditions and heavy rain, lasting until 18:00 on Wednesday in some departments.

These warnings will be accompanied by advice to avoid going outdoors where possible and to limit car journeys.

Residents should stay up to date with weather alerts and information, either through local media or the Météo France website. 

“It should be noted that on Wednesday, the storms are expected to spread out onto the plains, warranting the classification of this event as a ‘Mediterranean episode’ [épisode méditerranéen]” Météo France added.

These storms, also known as épisodes cévenols when they hit the Massif Central, can see extreme levels of rainfall in just a few hours, increasing the risk of flooding. 

The exact level of intensity from the storms remains uncertain, and it is possible that other departments in the area could see alerts implemented, or even that red-level alerts are enforced for part of the storms.

Météo France only gives official alerts covering the current and next day, meaning alerts for Thursday are not yet available. 

Our article here details how you can get live information about conditions in your area.