Météo-France has placed 19 departments on yellow alert for rain and flooding for Wednesday, April 16, 2025. The affected areas include Ain, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Hautes-Alpes, Alpes-Maritimes, Ardèche, Corse-du-Sud, Haute-Corse, Doubs, Drôme, Isère, Jura, Loire, Haute-Loire, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Rhône, Saône-et-Loire, Savoie, Haute-Savoie, and Var.
According to Météo-France, the rainy disturbance that began the day before will linger throughout Wednesday, moving from Alsace-Lorraine to Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) and Corsica. This weather pattern is expected to bring significant rainfall accumulations, particularly in Rhône-Alpes and eastern PACA.
In the morning hours of April 16, 2025, Brittany will experience deteriorating weather, with locally stormy showers expected to spread into Normandy and Pays de la Loire by the afternoon. Météo-France has also issued yellow alerts for thunderstorms in three departments, yellow alerts for snow and ice in four departments, and yellow alerts for strong winds in four others.
This gloomy weather forecast is not just limited to the aforementioned regions. Météo-France updated its weather bulletin on the evening of April 15, 2025, placing several departments in Provence on yellow alert for thunderstorms and flooding risks. The Bouches-du-Rhône department is on yellow alert for thunderstorms for both April 15 and 16, while Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is under yellow alert for avalanche and flood risks.
Additionally, the Vaucluse department has been placed on yellow alert for thunderstorms and floods starting from 4 p.m. on April 15, with the flood watch continuing into the next day. The Hautes-Alpes will also maintain a yellow avalanche watch from April 15 through April 16, 2025.
Residents in the southeastern quarter of France, especially those planning outdoor activities during the Easter holidays, should reconsider their plans. Météo-France advises caution as heavy rains are expected to impact the region significantly. Rainfall totals over the next 48 hours could reach between 40 to 80 mm, with localized areas in the pre-Alpine massifs and border Alps potentially seeing 100 to 150 mm.
This translates to an astounding 150 liters of water per square meter, which is a considerable amount for any region. Météo-France has indicated a temporary respite from the rain with a clear sky expected on Friday, April 18, 2025, but warns that precipitation will return by the evening of Saturday, April 19, 2025.
In the Alpes-Maritimes, the weather forecast for April 16, 2025, is particularly gloomy. Stormy weather is anticipated in the morning, with rain expected to continue throughout the day. The department has been placed on yellow alert for rain and flood risks, effective from 6:00 a.m. until midnight, with the possibility of an extension.
The Vigicrues website has activated a yellow alert, especially towards Puget-Théniers, indicating that residents should be cautious. Temperatures are expected to be low, not exceeding 16 degrees Celsius along the coast and averaging 13 degrees Celsius in the Nice hinterland.
In the Var department, Météo-France announced a stormy episode followed by heavy rains starting on the evening of April 15, 2025. The prefect of Var has relayed this information, indicating that the region is under a yellow alert for thunderstorms. Locally strong thunderstorms are expected, which could be accompanied by gusts of wind and intense precipitation.
As the night progresses, the yellow alert will be extended to include the risk of rain and flooding, a phenomenon that could persist until April 16. This alert applies to the entire Var department, with significant cumulative rainfall expected in various sectors.
Authorities are urging residents to exercise caution, particularly with outdoor activities, travel, and other weather-sensitive practices. Motorists are advised to remain vigilant, as road conditions may quickly become slippery. Currently, no orange alert is anticipated, but the situation could evolve based on the intensity of the rainfall, with a new assessment expected in the coming hours.
In summary, the weather forecast for the southeastern regions of France indicates a significant and potentially dangerous weather event. With multiple departments under various alerts for rain, flooding, thunderstorms, and even avalanches, residents are encouraged to stay informed and take necessary precautions.
