Storm warnings hot on heels of warm spell in southern France

Storm alerts have been issued across much of France today (October 20) as heavy rain, wind and hail are expected to join this week’s unusually warm weather.

This week, temperatures have reached 30C in the south west and exceeded 20C across the rest of the country, and national forecaster Météo France has stated that an “anomaly of universally high temperatures” will last until the end of the month.

Storms also began to arrive over France last night (October 19-20) from the west, and 64 departments remain under yellow storm warnings.

The weather system has moved inland now and is largely affecting central, northern and eastern France.

Ardèche is being placed under an orange alert which will come into effect at around 20:00 and last at least until 06:00 tomorrow.

Heavy rain is expected on higher ground, especially around the Cévennes, with 200-250mm falling in some places. This could cause flash flooding.

Heavy rain is also expected over the Alps and Jura.

Brittany and parts of Pays de la Loire and Normandy are, meanwhile, now seeing calmer weather with sunny spells.

Today, maximum temperatures are expected to sit between 18C and 23C in the northern two thirds of the country, between 22C and 26C in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and between 24C and 28C in the south west.

You can find out more on the Météo France website.

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