Hail, lightning, 100mm rain: Storms forecast for southern France

*Update, 12:45, September 2: This article was updated when a fourth department, Var, was upgraded from yellow to orange alert

Update, 16:00, September 2: This article was updated when a fifth department, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, was upgraded from yellow to orange alert

Five departments in southern France are on orange (the second highest level) alert for storms and floods.

France’s national weather service Météo France is warning of the risk of a "rainstorm requiring special vigilance" in the Gard, Vaucluse, Bouches-du-Rhône, Var and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.

Orange alert is the second highest and means “be very careful”.

The storms are predicted to arrive at some point between 15:00 today (September 2) and midnight tonight.

Météo-France says that up to 100mm of rain could fall in some places, creating the risk of flooding.

Hail, strong gusts of wind and thunderstorms are also expected.

Neighbouring departments that are on yellow storm alert could also see heavy storms.

This includes Hérault, Lozère, Ardèche and Drôme.

Stay up to date with storm alerts on Météo-France's website here.

Read more:France storms: What to do (and what not to do) to stay safe

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