France is bracing for severe weather as Météo-France has issued an orange alert for thunderstorms across 19 departments from Occitanie to the northeast, starting Saturday afternoon.

The alert comes as the country faces heavy traffic due to vacation returns.

The storms are expected to bring strong winds, with gusts reaching 90-100 km/h, and intense rainfall, particularly affecting the Massif Central and Grand-Est regions.

Some areas may also experience hail.

The weather disturbance will move from the southwest to the northeast, intensifying in the evening and overnight.

Additionally, the Pyrénées-Orientales department is under a red alert for wildfires due to persistent drought and high temperatures, marking the first such alert this summer.

Residents are advised to stay vigilant and follow safety instructions.