Thunderstorms predicted to roll in across northern and eastern France starting from Saturday afternoon, following the prolonged heatwave.
Forecast for Ascension Weekend in France: Storms Expected
Storms will likely sweep across parts of France this weekend, as temperatures cool after heat records were set on Friday, according to Météo-France. The storms, which may bring heavy rain, gusty winds, and hail, are expected to form over the eastern regions of the country on Saturday.
Saturday's storms will primarily affect the Massif Central, north of Rhône-Alpes and Burgundy Franche-Comté, as well as the Normandy hills and eastern half of Île-de-France, Hauts-de-France, and Grand Est. Areas such as Aisne, Seine-et-Marne, the northern part of Champagne-Ardenne, and Lorraine may experience the severest weather.
France's meteorological agency has issued yellow warnings for 52 departments, cautioning residents about potential storms on Saturday.
On Sunday, locally stormy waves are expected in the north of the Grand Est region and New Aquitaine to Auvergne in the morning. More frequent and violent storms will break out over the Massif Central in the afternoon, particularly in eastern Auvergne, before moving to Rhône-Alpes, Burgundy Franche-Comté, and eventually Alsace. Hail and gusty winds are possible in eastern-central regions of the country.
In the southwest, stormy showers will develop during the day over the Pyrenees, moving into the Aquitaine plains and the interior of Occitanie in the evening. The eastern parts of Midi-Pyrénées, Aude, and the Cévennes will be at risk for strong storms. Over the northwest half of the country, skies will be mixed with clouds and sunshine in a cooler atmosphere.
Ascension Day, traditionally celebrated on a Thursday, will fall on May 31 this year. This late-May holiday typically signals the start of the summer season and the beginning of warmer weather for many parts of France. However, this year's Ascension Weekend may bring a different weather pattern, with storms and cooler temperatures expected in several regions.
The storms, forming over the eastern regions on Saturday, might impact the environment significantly, causing heavy rain, gusty winds, and hail, as predicted by Météo-France's weather-forecasting. Residents in departments such as Aisne, Seine-et-Marne, and Lorraine should be cautious of the potentially severe weather conditions this weekend.
