France is set to be battered by heavy rain throughout the week, as a series of powerful storms cross through the country.
Almost all of France will be affected, although temperatures will remain around two degrees warmer than usual October averages until the end of the week, when a mini cold-snap begins.
Monday October 7
The week begins with heavy rainfall in the south and centre of France, as an épisode cévenol covers the area.
This Mediterranean storm will move inland from the afternoon, bringing rapid rainfall and strong winds to the south.
The centre and east of France are also expected to see stormy weather, and near the German/Luxembourg border periods of sudden heavy rainfall may induce flash flooding.
In the north, however, it will mostly be dry, although parts of coastal Brittany may see storms.
Many departments across France are facing weather alerts, with nine on a heightened tier-three orange alert for heavy rain / flash flooding.
The departments concerned are - Gard, Lozère, Ardèche, Ain, Isère, Rhône, Loire, Saône-et-Loire, and Jura.
These warnings come into force at 22:00, as the rainfall becomes more intense.
These warnings may be updated throughout the day as the intensity of the storms progress.
Tuesday October 8
Rainfall will continue to be intense in the south as the storms remain in place.
Two departments will see tier-three orange warnings for heavy rain come into force early on Tuesday morning (Alpes-Maritimes and Hautes-Alpes), bringing the total number of departments on heightened alert up to 11.
Forecaster La Chaîne Météo predicts that rain will not stop overnight, leading to a cumulation of rain that may saturate grounds and lead to flooding.
Current predictions show up to 100 mm of rainfall to the south-east near Nice, around the Rhône Valley and the eastern mountain ranges, and up to 250 mm in the Cévennes mountain range will fall between Monday morning and Tuesday evening.
Weather warnings in these areas are likely to increase, with flooding likely, and those going out during the storms should be cautious.
In the north-west and centre-west of France, lighter rains and storms are expected.
Read more: Storms in France: what to do if at home, out walking or in car
Wednesday October 9
These storms will move across the border into Switzerland and Italy, leaving the south free from rain.
In the north, however, hurricane Kirk is predicted to move across France, hitting northern and central areas with heavy rain and powerful gales.
Brittany, Normandy, and areas around Paris will face the brunt of the rain, however central and eastern areas are expected to see winds of 130 km/h.
The exact path of the storm is not yet known, but the consensus is that France will be hit hard, providing there is no sudden shift in the hurricane’s trajectory.
Read more: Hurricane Kirk set to hit France: which areas are at risk?
Weather warnings from state forecaster Météo France are only available up to 48 hours in advance. On Tuesday morning, they placed 19 departments, in the north-west and south-west, on heightened orange alert for storms and strong winds.
Thursday October 10
Hurricane Kirk will move towards the Benelux region in the afternoon, ending rainfall in the north, however winds of 100 km/h may remain in central areas throughout the day, as well as showers.
In addition, the south of France will see Mistral and Tramontane winds, although should remain mostly dry.
Friday October 11
Heavy rains and strong winds should end by Friday, although showers and grey skies are expected north of the Seine, particularly around Normandy.
The clearing of the skies will be accompanied with a temperature drop that will affect most of the country.
The national average temperature will drop by around 5C between Thursday and Saturday, becoming noticeably colder than average and chillier than the beginning of the week.
This mini cold-snap will last until at least the middle of next week, and morning chills may reach close to 0C in parts of the north.
