Update: south west to north east France on alert for ‘violent’ storms

[Update June 23 at 17:00 - The orange alert has now been extended to Tarn, Aveyron, Ardèche, Drôme, Isère and Savoie.]

Some 31 French departments ranging from south west to north east France have now been placed under an orange weather alert for storms this afternoon (June 23).

National forecasting service Météo France expected the storms to begin around midday in more southwestern and central departments, before moving north east over the course of the afternoon.

It will bring a “violent” episode of hail, 30-50mm of rain in less than an hour and winds of 70-90km/h.

This weather phenomenon will last into the evening for more southerly areas, and into the night for northern departments.

The departments concerned by the alert are: Cantal, Puy-de-Dôme, Haute-Loire, Loire, Rhône, Ain, Jura, Allier, Saône-et-Loire, Nièvre, Yonne, Côte d’Or, Doubs, Haute-Saône, Haute-Marne, Aube, Vosges, Territoire de Belfort, Haut-Rhin, Marne, Ardennes, Meuse, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Moselle, Bas-Rhin, Cher, Corrèze, Creuse, Dordogne, Lot and Haute-Vienne.

Some 25 of these departments were already under a weather warning this morning, but the latter six have now been added to the list.

Do I need to do anything?

People living in areas under the orange warning should stay away from bodies of water and shelter at home if possible.

Possessions which could be blown away or submerged should be secured.

Further information can be found on the Météo France website.

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