Storm warning for tonight

ALMOST half of the departments of France have been placed on an “orange” weather alert with storm risks today (the third highest of four levels).

The warning means “be very careful, dangerous weather is expected.”

The alert area concerns a diagonal up through France between the Pyrenees and the Belgian border. While the daytime will be calm and warm in most areas, there are likely to be “violent” storms this evening and night, with the first storms expected in the South-west before moving north. There may be some “very violent” winds, heavy rain and even hail.

Météo France say you should be careful, especially if travelling or doing leisure activities, avoid using in the phone or electrical equipment, and if a storm is approaching shelter away from wooded areas.

The following regions are affected: Aquitaine, Centre, Haute-Normandie, Ile-de-France, Limousin, Midi-Pyrénées, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Picardy and the following departments : Allier, Ardennes, Aube, Cantal, Charente, Marne, Nièvre, Puy-de-Dôme, Vienne and Yonne.