Most departments across France are facing weather alerts at the start of the week ahead due to expected strong winds. Some warnings will heighten with an épisode cévénol forecast for Monday night (November 25). Settled weather is then expected to return as the week progresses.
67 departments are on alert on SundayMétéo France
Sunday (November 24): Weather alerts have been raised in 66 departments by state weather service Météo France due to strong winds. One department is on high alert.
Winds of 50 to 70km/h are forecast in much of France but could reach up to 105km/h in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, where a high (orange) weather alert is in place
Temperatures are forecast to be mild, with highs of 21C in Pyrénées-Atlantiques.
Monday (November 25): Currently 58 departments are on (yellow) alert due to gales and six on high (orange) alert. The worst weather is forecast over the Massif Central, with Haute-Loire and the south of Rhône particularly affected. Rain is expected in the centre and north of France.
64 departments are on alert on MondayMétéo France
The mild temperatures will continue, with highs of 20C forecast in Pyrénées-Orientales.
An épisode cévénol rainstorm is expected in the evening, which will likely lead to further weather alerts in Ardèche, Gard and Hérault.
What is an épisode cévenol?
An épisode cévenol (sometimes called an episode Mediterranean when it is predominantly the coast affected) is caused by a clash of warm and cold air.
Warm air rolls in from the Mediterranean sea, and comes into contact with cold air in the mountain ranges of the Massif Central or Alps.
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This sudden interaction caused clouds to condense and drop their rain violently, leading to intense downpours where weeks worth of rain can fall in a few hours.
The phenomena particularly affects the Cévennes mountains (hence the name épisode cévenol), as well as the south-east of France around the Alps. In some cases, the airs clash closer to the shore, causing rains to fall earlier.
These episodes occur each year, and are predominantly seen in autumn and more occasionally spring. In recent years, however, they have been happening more frequently and at more points throughout the year.
Tuesday (November 26): The wind and rain will give way to veiled clouds and settled weather across most of France. Highs of 17C are forecast in Pyrénées-Orientales.
Wednesday (November 27): Rain is forecast for the northern half of France and clear skies for the south.
The mild temperatures will continue, with highs of 17C forecast in Alpes-Maritimes.
Thursday (November 28): Clear skies are expected to return to the north, bringing cooler temperatures with them. However, rain will linger over the Massif Central. Highs of 20C are forecast in Pyrénées-Orientales.
Friday (November 29): Clear, dry and cool weather is forecast to return.Highs of 20C are 17C forecast in Alpes-Maritimes.
