Take care in the South-West. The Gers, Hautes-Pyrénées and Pyrénées-Atlantiques have been placed under orange alert for ‘thunderstorms’ and ‘rain-flooding’ on Saturday 8 June. An intense ‘rainstorm’ is expected in these three departments from 6pm, according to the Météo-France bulletin published at 6am

On Saturday evening and into the night, these thunderstorms will be ‘associated with strong electrical and rainfall intensities’, although there is still some uncertainty as to the location of the ‘most virulent’ thunderstorms. Hail is also forecast.

Météo-France is forecasting rainfall totals of 40 to 60 mm ‘in a relatively short space of time’, and locally 60 to 90 mm. Over the whole episode, cumulative rainfall could reach or exceed 100 mm. What’s more, ‘neighbouring departments to those under orange alert may also be affected by locally strong phenomena’, warns the forecaster.