Half of France on storms alert as wildfire risk intensifies in south

Another week, another weather warning – more than half of France is on alert due to stormy conditions.

Less than a week after storms hit weekend plans for those celebrating the coronation in France, Météo France is once again issuing warnings.

More than 50 departments – almost exclusively in the north of France – are facing tier two ‘yellow’ alerts.

The storms are expected to be short-lived, however. By Thursday (May 11) all departments except two will see the warnings lifted.

Storm warnings from Brittany to the German border

Aside from Alpes-Maritimes in the south, all departments issued with storm warnings are in the northern half of France, from Brittany to the German border.

The storm warnings in these departments are already in place - at the time of writing [Wednesday morning] - and set to last until at least midnight.

Four departments are facing yellow warnings for river floods – two that border the Rhine (Haut-Rhin and Bas-Rhin), as well as Isère and Savoie.

These two departments, alongside Haute-Savoie and Hautes-Alpes, also have yellow avalanche warnings.

You can keep up to date with all warnings through the official Météo France Vigilance website.

As a reminder, yellow warnings indicate people should be careful when outside and keep informed of local weather reports.

Read also: ‘Face the reality’: France ‘must prepare’ for +4C global warming

Wildfire risk heightened in the south of France

Temperatures will be slightly cooler thanks to the storms but will still average around 13C – 15C in the north.

In the south, temperatures of roughly 20C will be seen around the Mediterranean – but there will be some rain in the south-west of the country.

Of greater concern are strong winds in the area, which have increased the threat of wildfires along the Mediterranean coast over the next 24 hours.

La Chaine Météo says gusts of up to 80km/h will quickly dry out the ground after rain over recent days.

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