After a mild start to spring, violent winds and high waves hit southern France

After a day marked by record spring temperatures – up to 26°C in the Hautes-Pyrénées, 21.5°C in Colmar, and 20.1°C in Paris – the weather takes a sharp turn for the worse on Friday, March 21st. A powerful disturbed weather system from the West brings violent winds and the risk of wave-submersion along the Mediterranean coastline.

Weather Alerts: Violent Winds and Risk of Wave-Submersion

Météo-France has issued orange alerts for several departments. The Hérault, Gard, and Bouches-du-Rhône are on alert for strong gusts starting at 2 p.m., while the Pyrénées-Orientales, Aude, and Hérault are at risk of wave-submersion.

Record Gusts and Wind Impact

Already in effect in Haute-Garonne and Tarn, the orange wind alert will be lifted in the afternoon. However, the storm has left its mark: a record gust of 153 km/h was recorded in Bagnères-de-Luchon, surpassing the previous record of 147 km/h set in 2010. Toulouse recorded gusts of 107 km/h.

Autan Winds and Waves on the Gulf of Lion

Météo-France also reports strong Autan winds in the Toulouse region, reaching up to 120 km/h between the Lauragais and Montagne Noire. On the Gulf of Lion, the East-Southeast wind is intensifying the sea state, creating large waves along the Languedoc-Roussillon coastline and causing a rise in sea level.

Spring Temperatures and Unstable Weather Conditions

Despite the stormy conditions, temperatures remain above seasonal averages, reaching 21°C in Paris and Ajaccio, 20°C in Lille, Lyon, and Biarritz. However, the evening will bring unstable weather, with thunderstorms expected in Provence, Drôme, and Isère, before spreading to the Paris Basin and northern France.