Météo-France has placed 42 French departments under yellow thunderstorm alert for Saturday, May 30, as an exceptionally hot late-May heatwave continues across the country. The warning covers a broad stretch of France, from parts of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and the Pyrenees to much of northern and central France, as well as the principality of Andorra.
The departments under yellow thunderstorm vigilance are Aisne, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Hautes-Alpes, Alpes-Maritimes, Ardèche, Ardennes, Aube, Cher, Eure, Eure-et-Loir, Gard, Indre, Indre-et-Loire, Loir-et-Cher, Loiret, Lozère, Maine-et-Loire, Marne, Haute-Marne, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse, Moselle and Nord. Also affected are Oise, Orne, Pas-de-Calais, Pyrénées-Orientales, Bas-Rhin, Sarthe, Paris, Seine-Maritime, Seine-et-Marne, Yvelines, Deux-Sèvres, Somme, Vienne, Yonne, Essonne, Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis, Val-de-Marne and Val-d’Oise.
According to Météo-France, thunderstorms are expected to develop during the day in several regions, including Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, the Pyrenees and the northern half of the country. The storms are linked to a “canicule” or heatwave that is described as unprecedented for the end of May, with very high temperatures still affecting large parts of France.
In addition to the thunderstorm alerts, Météo-France has also placed four departments on orange heatwave alert for Saturday, while 24 other departments remain under yellow heatwave vigilance. The combination of intense heat and unstable atmospheric conditions is increasing the risk of violent storms, sudden weather changes and localized heavy rain or lightning.
The ongoing weather situation is notable for its intensity and timing, as late May heatwaves are considered unusual at this scale. Météo-France’s bulletin indicates that the country is facing a sustained period of extreme warmth, with thunderstorms providing only partial relief in some areas and potentially bringing hazards of their own.
Authorities and residents in the affected departments are being urged to remain alert to changing conditions, especially during the afternoon and evening when storms are most likely to form. The national weather service’s multiple vigilance levels highlight both the spread of the thunderstorm risk and the seriousness of the heatwave affecting France at the end of May.
