For this Thursday, October 17, Météo-France has issued a vigilance orange alert for nine départements, due to the risk of heavy rain, thunderstorms and flooding. On Wednesday, this alert concerned only three departments, compared with five previously

Vigilance extended to southern France. Météo-France has placed nine departments under orange vigilance for Thursday, due to risks of “rain-flooding”, “thunderstorms” or “flooding”, according to its bulletin dated Wednesday October 16 at 4pm. The departments concerned are: Alpes-Maritimes, Ardèche, Aveyron, Corrèze, Gard, Lot, Lozère, Pyrénées-Atlantiques and Tarn.

More specifically, Aveyron, Corrèze, Lot, Pyrénées-Atlantiques and Tarn are under “rain-flood” alert. The Alpes-Maritimes and Lozère are also under a “thunderstorm” alert. Ardèche and Gard are under a triple alert for “thunderstorms”, “flooding” and “rain-flooding”.

Intensifying rainfall: orange vigilance for several départements

Météo-France is warning that a low-pressure system is advancing across the country, causing an intensification of stormy precipitation, particularly in the south. The Alpes-Maritimes, Gard and Lozère have been placed under orange vigilance for thunderstorms, an alert already in force for Gard and Lozère since Wednesday evening.

According to forecasts, this episode could result in significant rainfall totals, with 200 to 300 mm expected over the Cévennes relief in the space of 48 hours, and peaks of up to 400 to 450 mm, or even more locally. These weather conditions call for extreme vigilance, especially in exposed areas.