Orages Météo: Severe Storms Impact France with Winds and Hail

Orages Météo: A Day of Severe Weather

This Saturday, France experienced a massive episode of
orages météo, stretching from the southwest to the northeastern borders and including the Paris region. About twenty departments were placed under orange alert by La Chaîne Météo. Numerous videos shared on social media depicted fallen trees, hail, and heavy rains, showcasing the storm's intensity.

Impact and Observations

• The initial storms erupted in the afternoon, centered in the country.
• Local hail episodes were reported.
• Intensity of rainfall peaked at 18.3 mm recorded between 5 PM and 6 PM in Ussel (19).

According to meteorological reports, the severity of the storms caused tree falls in southern Occitanie. On Friday, Météo-France warned of heavy precipitation (30 to 50 mm in one to two hours) coupled with localized hailfalls, with some areas experiencing punctually over 80 mm of rain. The Aube and Tarn regions faced particularly violent winds.

Weather Warnings and Forecasts

Severe gusts could reach up to 110 km/h from Auvergne to Burgundy and Lorraine during the evening. The highest gust recorded was 149 km/h in Courouvre, Meuse. Heavy storm activity peaked in Ile-de-France, where a gust of 95 km/h was noted in Melun (Seine-et-Marne). The end of the orange alert is expected during the night, although rain is forecast to persist throughout the night from Occitanie to the northern Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, moving toward the Grand Est.