France issues orange storm alerts for 24 departments

France is bracing for a significant thunderstorm outbreak on Thursday afternoon and evening, with meteorological services issuing orange alerts for 24 departments. The weather system is expected to develop along two main axes: one stretching from the Pays de la Loire to Hauts-de-France, and a more intense one from Auvergne across the Grand Est region, including Burgundy.

The most severe conditions are anticipated along the second axis, where residents can expect large hail ranging from 2 to 5 cm, heavy rainfall, and wind gusts of 80 to 100 km/h, potentially reaching 110 km/h or higher. The risk of "vortex phenomena," such as isolated tornadoes, has also not been ruled out, according to La Chaîne Météo.

As the evening progresses into the night, the storms are expected to shift towards the Rhône-Saône axis, Jura, and the center-east of the country. Here, the concern shifts to significant rainfall accumulation, leading to runoff and localized flooding. The intensity of the storms, with precipitation potentially reaching 30 to 50 mm in just one hour under the most violent cells, underscores the potential for rapid water accumulation.

The affected departments include Allier, Aube, Aveyron, Calvados, Cantal, Côte-d’Or, Eure, Loire, Haute-Loire, Lozère, Marne, Haute-Marne, Mayenne, Nièvre, Nord, Orne, Pas-de-Calais, Puy-de-Dôme, Haute-Saône, Saône-et-Loire, Sarthe, Seine-Maritime, Somme, and Yonne. Authorities are urging residents in these areas to stay informed and take necessary precautions.