Storm and heatwave warnings for France: weekend weather outlook August 31 - September 1

A familiar weather pattern is set to play out this weekend in France, with high temperatures in some areas and storms hitting much of the rest. 

Friday August 30 

Storms that began on Thursday will continue and last for much of Friday. They will run in a diagonal line from the south-west and Pyrénées to the Belgian border, crossing over Paris. 

Dozens of storm warnings are in place, as well as heavy rain/flash flooding alerts in parts of the north. 

The storms will gradually disperse in the south but continue to affect the north overnight, including in Normandy.

You can check official weather warnings for up to 48 hours in advance on the website of the state forecaster Météo France.

In the south-east, a heatwave warning is in place in the Alpes-Maritimes, where early morning temperatures in Nice have already reached 24C. 

A warning is also in place in Lyon (Rhône) where temperatures will climb to 35C or above this afternoon.

Saturday August 31

Saturday will begin calm, dry, and warmer than average for the start of September. 

However, a mass of unstable air will move into the south-west from the Atlantic ocean, bringing storms that will traverse towards the north of the country. 

They will pass across the centre of France throughout the day before reaching the Belgian and Luxembourg borders. 

Currently, it is not clear where the storms will be most intense along this path. Météo France has so far issued warnings along the Atlantic shoreline and in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. 

More warnings may be issued once the situation is clearer.

Read more: Storms in France: what to do if at home, out walking or in car

In the east, from the Rhine, through Lyon and down to the Mediterranean, temperatures are expected to be significantly warmer than average, particularly along the Rhône valley. 

Temperatures of around 35C (in the shade) are expected near Lyon, with most of the east seeing at least 30C or higher. 

Sunday September 1

Storms will continue, hitting the south-west, centre, and Normandy once again. 

In addition, a new set of storms are possible in the gulf of Lion (the Mediterranean sea near Montpellier) that may move inland, as well as in Alpine areas of the south-east. 

They are not expected to be as powerful as at the start of the weekend, however.

Elsewhere, temperatures will not be as hot as on Saturday – aside from areas close to the Rhine – and generally calm. Brittany will remain dry despite the storms on its borders. 

Early forecasts for next week show storms moving to the east and south-east of France, with the north experiencing frequent showers. 

In the south-west and centre, it will be cloudy for much of the start of the week.