Severe Thunderstorms: Eleven Southwestern Departments Under Orange Alert

A major storm system is sweeping across southwestern France this Monday, May 19. Météo-France has issued an orange weather alert for eleven departments, warning of a potentially intense and “organized” thunderstorm episode — the first of its kind in 2025.

The departments affected are: Cantal, Dordogne, Lot, Tarn-et-Garonne, Gers, Hautes-Pyrénées, Haute-Garonne, Ariège, Aude, Tarn, and Aveyron. The alert came into effect at 2 p.m. and is expected to last through the evening.

Hail, Torrential Rain, and Strong Winds Expected

Forecasters anticipate heavy rainfall, significant hailstorms, wind gusts potentially reaching 100 km/h (62 mph), and intense lightning activity. Rainfall totals could reach 60 to 70 mm over the duration of the episode, with hourly intensities of up to 30 mm.

The unstable atmosphere is fueled by the warm air mass still lingering over the region — with temperatures on Sunday peaking at 28°C (82°F) in areas like the Landes and Biarritz.

Uncertain Evolution and Potential Extension of Alerts

Météo-France warns that uncertainties remain regarding the precise timing, severity, and path of the storms. The orange alert could potentially be extended to parts of the Auvergne region, depending on how conditions evolve.

Preliminary storms already struck parts of Aquitaine on Sunday, including the Landes and Pyrénées-Atlantiques, bringing intense hail and disrupting local conditions.