As the weekend approaches, France prepares for a significant weather shift, with thunderstorms expected to sweep across much of the country. Starting Saturday, May 10, 2025, a series of violent storms is anticipated, bringing heavy rainfall and potential hail to various regions, particularly in the west. According to Météo France, the storms will begin in the afternoon, affecting areas from Brittany to Nouvelle-Aquitaine and moving inland towards Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
The yellow alert for thunderstorms, which will be in effect from 17:00 on May 10, signals that residents should remain vigilant. This warning is not just for Sarthe, where La Flèche is expected to bear the brunt of the storm, but also for 19 other departments across western France. These include regions from the Atlantic coast to Auvergne, indicating a widespread weather phenomenon.
Weather forecasts indicate that the instability in the atmosphere is set to increase due to a warm air mass moving in from the southeast, colliding with a cold drop of air situated off the Iberian Peninsula. This clash is likely to create conditions ripe for thunderstorms, especially in the southern and southwestern parts of the country.
"This weekend promises to be turbulent, with thunderstorms expected to ramp up significantly," said a meteorologist from Météo France. The storms will likely start as isolated showers in the afternoon before developing into more organized fronts as the day progresses, particularly in the southwest. Areas such as Aquitaine and the western part of Occitanie will be particularly susceptible to strong storms, which may bring gusts exceeding 80 km/h, intense rainfall, and hail.
On Sunday, May 11, the storm activity is expected to extend further east, impacting regions from Normandy to the Pyrenees, as well as areas near the Mediterranean and Rhône-Alpes. The storms on Sunday could be more organized and intense than those of the previous day, raising concerns among forecasters. "People should be cautious as conditions could worsen, especially in the afternoon and evening," the meteorologist added.
Temperatures will also see a notable rise during this period, with predictions of reaching around 25°C in cities like Lille and Paris, and even higher in the southwest. This sudden warmth, combined with the storms, creates a stark contrast, leading to what some are calling a "weather rollercoaster." On Saturday, temperatures are expected to reach 26°C in Biarritz, while on Sunday, parts of the Paris basin could exceed 25°C.
As a reminder, the week leading up to this weekend had already seen intense thunderstorm activity, with numerous lightning strikes recorded and damage reported, particularly between Paris and the southwest. This recent history of severe weather has prompted Météo France to issue alerts for several departments, including Ain, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, and Hautes-Alpes.
In light of the forecasted storms, residents are advised to stay updated on the weather conditions and take precautions, especially in areas prone to flooding or hail damage. The storms are expected to continue into early next week, with further disturbances likely on Monday and Tuesday, May 12 and 13, as the system moves eastward.
In summary, the weekend of May 10-11, 2025, will bring a mix of warmth and thunderstorms across France, with heightened risks in the southwest and western regions. As the weather pattern shifts, it serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of spring weather in France.
