North of France on orange alert for hailstorms

The warning - issued at 11h43 local time - is for hailstorms, strong winds and rain towards the end of the afternoon. Wind gusts are expected to reach 90-110 kph, and rainfall could reach as much as 20-30 mm.

The storms will begin in Ile-de-France and Bourgogne, and spread through the Hauts de France and to the east of Grand Est, Météo France said. The episodes are expected to be brief but intense, and to last two or three hours.

An “orange” alert is the second-most severe alert level, and warns residents to be “very vigilant”.

Anyone in the area is warned to limit their journeys unless 100% necessary, to avoid wooded and forest areas, and to avoid using mobile phones or electrical devices outside.

As the storm approaches, residents are also warned to tidy and secure any outdoor objects, furniture, and vegetation.

The full list of departments currently on orange alert:

Yonne, Aube, Marne, Meuse, Ardennes, Nord, Aisne, Seine-et-Marne, Essonne, Yvelines, Val-d'Oise, Oise, Somme, Pas-de-Calais, Paris and surroundings.