Orange storm alerts issued in south-east France ahead of heavy rain

The departments of Ardèche and Drôme have been placed under orange weather alerts for violent storms today (August 30) by national forecaster Météo France.

A further 60 departments covering all but the far north and south west of the country have also been put on yellow storm warnings.

Weather conditions are currently calm over the two departments under orange alert, but there are some stormy showers over the north of the Massif Central and Centre-Val de Loire.

Conditions are expected to worsen in the early afternoon around Lyon, the Rhône valley, in the Alps and in Provence.

In Drôme and Ardèche, heavy rain is set to bring the most disruption, with 20-40mm falling over one hour and up to 60mm in some places.

There may be hail as well, but it is not expected to be as intense as the rain.

Isère, Vaucluse and Gard may also be impacted by the precipitation, but not to the same extent as the orange alert departments.

The storms are expected to abate this evening.

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