Weather: Storms, Hail, Gusts, and Heavy Rain Expected Monday, August 24

Southern and central France are on alert for severe thunderstorms expected to hit on Monday, August 24. Fifteen departments have been placed under orange alert by La Chaîne Météo due to the anticipated stormy conditions.

The unstable weather is attributed to a low-pressure system moving from the Azores towards the Bay of Biscay, interacting with warm air originating from the Mediterranean. This confluence is predicted to trigger intense thunderstorms, particularly in the southern regions, extending into central France.

These storms are forecast to bring a range of hazardous phenomena, including heavy rainfall that could cause flash flooding, large hail, significant electrical activity, and powerful wind gusts potentially reaching speeds of 90 to 120 km/h. The most vulnerable areas include Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie, PACA, and parts of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

While the most severe conditions are expected on Monday, forecasters warn that the unstable and warm air mass could lead to further thunderstorms throughout the week. The weather pattern requires continued monitoring as the season progresses.

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At their passage, we can expect: powerful wind gusts, from 90 to 110 or even 120 km/h, - hail falls, high rainfall intensities, sometimes causing accumulations of around 30 mm in one hour, or even locally more, and intense electrical activity