Storms in south, rain to cover all regions: French weekend weather update March 22 - 23

France is in store for a wet and stormy weekend, even if temperatures will remain significantly warmer than seasonal norms. 

Rain will cover essentially all of the country at some point across the weekend, with storms in central and potentially south-east France. 

Friday March 21 

The passage of Storm Martinho has left several departments on heightened alert for strong wind, and for coastal waves along parts of the Mediterranean coastline. 

It will also bring deposits of fine grainy sand from the Sahara as far north as Brittany.

Read more: Wind and wave warnings increase in south of France, Saharan sand to land in Brittany

Rainfall is likely along the western coast, with further risk of storms in Brittany, although heightened alerts are not in place in the north-west.

This rain will move eastwards throughout the evening, eventually covering most of France. 

Despite this, temperatures will remain warm for the season, reaching a national average of 13.4C – around 3.5C warmer than usual. 

Highs of 15C are expected across France, rising to 20C in Biarritz, Lyon, and even Lille, as the north experiences a burst of warm weather.

Saturday March 22 

Storm Martinho is expected to move east – no longer affecting France – however a spell of weaker but still significant Atlantic storms will take its place.

Moving from the south-west into central France, this belt is at risk of thunderstorms throughout the day. 

Grey clouds and rain are expected along the Mediterranean coast, as well as in Brittany, gradually moving to cover central and northern France as the afternoon continues. 

The exact nature of these weather patterns are not certain however, with forecasters unsure how long they will last on Saturday in each of France’s regions.

The east of France will be free from rain much of the day but it is expected to arrive by the evening. 

Temperatures will be slightly lower – highs of 14C to 18C – but this is still well above seasonal norms. 

Sunday March 23 

Sunday will see a slight improvement, as storms peter out in the south and Mediterranean. 

Rain will still be plentiful, particularly in the north and east, with the south-east also under threat of persistent and dreary rain. 

The area most likely to see clear skies and sun is the centre of France as Saturday’s storms may have cleared the air.

Temperatures will again drop by around 1C – highs of 12C to 17C are expected north to south – and will fall further at the start of next week, where they may drop below seasonal averages. 

Early forecasts predict another rainy week, particularly in the centre of France.