Southern France Faces Severe Winds and Coastal Flooding Risks

Météo France has issued orange alerts for seven departments, with violent winds and wave-submersion expected to subside by Friday evening after a rainstorm.

Seven departments, including Haute-Garonne, Tarn, Hérault, Gard, and Bouches-du-Rhône, are under orange alert for violent winds, while Pyrénées-Orientales, Aude, and Hérault face wave-submersion risks.
Wind gusts are forecasted to reach up to 120 km/h inland and 100 km/h along the Mediterranean coast, with the strongest winds expected in areas like Lauragais and Pays Castrais.
The vent d’autan, a strong southeast wind typical of Occitanie, is driving the severe weather conditions across the affected regions.
The strongest recorded gusts on Thursday included 153 km/h in Bagnères-de-Luchon and 122 km/h at Mont Aigoual, with unseasonably warm temperatures observed in parts of southern France.
Conditions are expected to improve by Friday evening as winds rapidly subside following a rainstorm, according to Météo France.