The department of Gard is still under an orange storm alert after heavy rain and hail caused severe flooding yesterday (September 14). Gard joins Hérault, Ardèche and Drôme on this alert level, which asks people to “be very vigilant".
Météo France has attributed the recent storms to climate change.
“When the climate is artificially heated by man, there is a higher concentration of water vapour in the atmosphere, and the heavy rains associated with this kind of meteorological episode become more and more common, sometimes with catastrophic consequences,” stated the weather service in the wake of recent flooding.
In light of this gloomy prediction, we've compiled a list of French expressions to help you describe the bad weather below.
1. Trempé comme une soupe
This phrase translates to being 'soaked like a soup'. It means to be very wet after being caught in the rain.
2. Trempé jusqu’aux os
To be really soaked – literally, to the bone. Note that in English, you do not get so wet and are only soaked to the skin.
3. Il pleut comme vache qui pisse
Used for when it is absolutely tipping it down – as powerful a torrent as when a cow is having a wee.
4. Il pleut des cordes
The French equivalent of 'it's raining cats and dogs' where instead of animals falling from the sky, it's ropes. You can also say ‘il tombe des cordes’.
5. Il pleut à seaux
A way of saying it's bucketing it down. Used for heavy rain and when in politer company than number 3 would allow.
6. Un temps de chien
This is an expression to describe very bad weather. When it's horribly wet and cold, the French say it's 'dog weather'.
7. Ça pète
You can use this when speaking about a big storm with thunder and lightning. If a storm is coming, you might also hear ‘ça va péter’, meaning it's about to burst.
More French weather-related expressions to try
7 French expressions to use when it's hot weather
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