Storm warnings issued as France's red heatwave alert ends

The most intense period of France’s third major heatwave in as many months is coming to an end, but the arrival of strong storms has led to a new bout of weather warnings.

State forecaster Météo France lifted all red-level heatwave alerts across France at 06:00 meaning for the first time in several days no department is facing the maximum warning level. 

However, 69 departments continue to face a tier-three orange alert for heatwave conditions. 

While temperatures are not expected to reach 40C, much of central and southern France will see highs of 36C - 38C today, as the epicentre of intense heat moves south.

On Thursday (July 16) temperatures will continue to drop in the north but remain stable in the south. 

Earlier today the French government reported that since June 19, 142 people have drowned in France, many attempting to cool off during successive heatwave periods. 

Storms sweep across central France

A major factor contributing to the end of the intense heat is the arrival of storms today.

Pushed into France by a mass of cold Atlantic air the storms will arrive in Brittany and quickly move eastwards towards the German border and Alps. 

Passing through the Parisian basin and central areas, they will clear the humid atmosphere and allow cooler Atlantic air to follow in its path, lowering temperatures in the latter half of the week. 

Between Tuesday (July 14) and Friday (July 17) temperatures across the north, centre, and south-west will drop by between 10C - 12C. 

However, the storms themselves will be strong and Météo France has issued 11 heightened storm warnings today, in Ain, Ardèche, Doubs, Drôme, Isère, Jura, Loire, Rhône, Saône-et-Loire, Savoie and Haute-Savoie. 

Winds of between 80km/h - 100km/h are forecast, alongside hail and intense lightning. 

Forecasters expect scattered storms with short bursts of intensity across these departments.

Currently, the heightened warnings are set to be lifted by 20:00, but this is subject to change. 

People can keep up to date with local alerts or the Météo France website for accurate information and should avoid driving in certain storm conditions. 

Properties should also be prepared for the storm: outdoor furniture should be tied down, objects moved away from trees that may fall, and emergency kits containing essentials in case of a power cut prepared (torch with batteries, food, water, etc). 

Will heatwave or storms return? 

Current forecasts predict the storms continuing across the same central belt tomorrow, and a new bout of storms from the south-west to the German border also appearing. 

Their intensity remains uncertain and Météo France is yet to announce heightened warnings. The storms will bring rain to these areas however, reducing the risk of forest fires.

In terms of the end of the heatwave, temperatures will remain cooler – but still above average – across the north, centre, and south-west throughout the weekend. 

Along the Mediterranean and south-east heatwave conditions may linger until the end of the weekend, with highs of 35C possible and heightened canicule alerts likely to remain in place.

La Chaîne Météo (owned by Le Figaro) is forecasting a new bout of hot weather from Monday (July 20) in the north, centre, and south-west.

Temperatures of 30C across all of non-coastal France are forecast by Wednesday (July 22), potentially close to 40C again in the south-west. 

With coastal areas remaining cool, and nights set to remain below heatwave thresholds, a new round of intense canicule alerts remains unlikely, however, and forecasters remain far from certain over the exact conditions.