Severe weather is impacting northern and southeastern France this week, with thunderstorms expected to bring heavy rain, hail, and strong winds.

On Wednesday evening, areas including Normandy, the Paris Basin, Hauts-de-France, and Grand Est are under orange alert due to localized but potentially intense storms.

Meanwhile, a heatwave is affecting the southern regions, with temperatures soaring between 36°C and 40°C, prompting alerts in 13 departments, including Bouches-du-Rhône, where Olympic sailing events are taking place.

Météo-France warns that this heatwave, driven by warm air from Spain, is particularly intense and may lead to increased frequency of such events in the future.

Residents are advised to stay hydrated and limit outdoor activities during peak heat hours.

The situation is expected to evolve, with a transition to cooler temperatures in the coming days, particularly in the northern half of the country.