France faces high hail risk as thunderstorms sweep central and eastern regions

A severe weather episode is forecast for France early next week. On Monday, a strong Atlantic disturbance will interact with hot, humid air, generating thunderstorms from the Massif Central to the eastern border. Hail pellets of 2–5 cm are expected, along with intense rain that could drop several tens of millimetres in an hour, strong gusts of 70–100 km/h, and frequent lightning. Potential damage includes damage to crops, vehicles, roofs and vegetation, as well as rapid runoff and flash flooding in urban areas.

The situation eases on Tuesday with improving conditions in the north and continued sunshine in the south. Temperatures will range from 6–11 °C in the morning to 20–24 °C across most of the country, rising to 28–30 °C near the Mediterranean where strong mistral and tramontane winds may increase fire risk. By Friday, temperatures climb above seasonal normals, especially in the south, while the north remains partly cloudy.

Overall, the forecast calls for a transition from a storm‑rich Monday to milder, drier weather later in the week, with specific concerns for hail damage and fire danger in southern regions.