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Southern France Faces Ongoing Severe Weather with Flooding and Hailstorms

Météo France maintains orange weather alerts across six southwestern departments and the Var as heavy rains and storms persist, with potential extension to Auvergne.

À Lavaur (Tarn), 60 minimètres de pluie ont été relevés en quelques heures, et jusqu’à 78 minimètres à Saint-Félix-Lauragais (Haute-Garonne).
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Des orages ponctuellement forts éclatent dans une atmosphère instable, en Provence Côte d’Azur. (Image d’illustration).
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Overview

  • Violent hailstorms and heavy rains on Monday evening caused flooding, fallen trees, and evacuations in southwestern France, prompting hundreds of firefighter interventions.
  • Météo France has kept six southwestern departments and the Var under orange vigilance for heavy rain and flood risks as of Tuesday morning, May 20, 2025.
  • Rainfall accumulations have reached up to 78 mm in some areas, with further intense precipitation expected, particularly in the Var, where totals could exceed 120 mm in three hours.
  • The possibility of extending orange alerts to Auvergne departments, including Haute-Loire and Cantal, remains under consideration by Météo France.
  • Spring weather patterns, driven by interactions between Mediterranean and Atlantic air masses, are contributing to the rapid development of these severe thunderstorms.