Weather alert: Cevenol episode in southeastern France

This Wednesday, October 16, France is being hit by a Cevenol episode bringing heavy rainfall and violent thunderstorms, particularly to the south-east of the country. Météo-France has issued a warning for residents of five départements: Lozère, Gard, Alpes-Maritimes, Ardèche and Var, which have been placed under orange vigilance due to the risk of thunderstorms and rain-flooding.

This phenomenon, well known to meteorologists, generally occurs in autumn. It results from a hot, humid wind from the Mediterranean colliding with the mountainous relief of the Cévennes, leading to intense, localized thunderstorms.

The alert is in force throughout the day for Occitanie departments, and between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. for Alpes-Maritimes and Var. Météo-France indicates that significant rainfall totals, varying between 120 and 150 mm, are expected over the Cévennes relief, with peaks of up to 250 mm on the Aigoual massif and Mont Lozère.

Local flood risks

For the Var and Alpes-Maritimes departments, the weather agency describes an “intense rainstorm episode”. Thunderstorms, sometimes not very mobile, could generate between 80 and 120 mm of rain in just a few hours. The alert for these two departments is valid until at least midnight.

The showers will spread over part of Occitanie, particularly affecting the Hérault, Gard and Cévennes regions. From Thursday onwards, this disturbance will move northwards, moving slowly over a large central area of the country.

Météo-France anticipates heavy rain on Thursday October 17, 2024, particularly in the south of France. In the southeast, thundery showers are expected to intensify in the morning and continue until mid-afternoon. At the end of the day, although thunderstorms and showers will be less violent, they should not disappear completely.