Météo-France warns that an intense and structured wave of thunderstorms will cross the regions from northern Burgundy to Hauts-de-France from late afternoon until the second half of Wednesday night

At the end of the day on Wednesday 1st May, Météo-France issued an initial bulletin announcing a vigilance orange for thunderstorms in 14 départements. The departments concerned include Paris, Seine-Saint-Denis, Hauts-de-Seine, Val-de-Marne, Yvelines, Val-d’Oise, Essonne, Seine-et-Marne, Somme, Oise, Aisne, Marne, Aube and Yonne.

According to the weather forecasts accompanying this alert, these storms could be violent and accompanied by hail and wind gusts of up to 80 km/h. These phenomena are likely to cause significant local damage.

For the day of Thursday May 2, four departments are also likely to be placed under orange vigilance for the same stormy phenomena: Somme, Oise, Aisne and Marne.

In addition to the thunderstorms, May 1 is likely to be marked by widespread rain over a large part of the country, stretching from Provence to Normandy via the Massif Central and the Centre. The border Alps are likely to receive sustained rain, with a rain-snow limit of around 2,200 metres.

Minimum temperatures will range from 8 to 12 degrees, locally 6 to 7 in Brittany, and 11 to 14 near the Mediterranean. Maximum temperatures will range from 13 to 16 degrees in the south-western half of the country, from 14 to 20 degrees from the south-east to the north, and from 20 to 25 in the north-east, with peaks of 26 or 27 in Alsace.