Practical information

Weather forecast

There is a national agency for weather forecasts, the French Meterological Services (Météo France), which is based in Toulouse. It collects all weather and climate predictions and dispatches them to all national weather broadcasting channels. Travellers and residents alike will be able to find the right information concerning their area of residence/travel on several media, including television, radio, and internet. French telephone companies also provide weather forecast services via special numbers to call or text messages regularly sent to the client.

After the two consecutives storms of 1999 that swept across France, wreaking havoc and causing close to one hundred deaths, France has greatly improved its alert system by issuing warnings over the various media whenever weather conditions require special vigilance. Reports are issued twice daily at 6.00 am and 4.00 pm (for a better use by the French media). A colour code is used to warn populations according to the varying degrees of danger from predicted weather conditions.

• Green: No particular vigilance required.



• Yellow: Exercise caution when performing certain weather sensitive activities: potentially dangerous weather conditions are expected, even if these weather conditions are normal for the area (high winds such as Mistral, summer storms). Frequently inform yourself on local weather conditions.



• Orange: This is a first stage alert. Remain vigilant for there are dangerous weather conditions. Frequently inform yourself on local weather conditions and comply with advice from the authorities. Visibility is reduced and there are risks of flooding. Avoid unnecessary travelling and do not cross flooded roads on foot or with your car. In case of lightning storms, do not use telephones or electrical appliances, do not take shelter under a tree and avoid unnecessary travelling.



• Red: This is a second stage alert. Absolute vigilance is mandatory for there are dangerous weather conditions of exceptional intensity. Frequently inform yourself on local weather conditions and comply with advice from the authorities. Visibility is reduced and there are risks of heavy flooding. Do not travel at all at this time and if you are travelling, do not engage yourself on a flooded road, on foot or with your car. In case of lightning storms, do not use telephones or electrical appliances, do not take shelter under a tree and avoid unnecessary travelling.

The same applies to the French overseas departments and territories, especially during hurricane season. The local office for the French Meterological Services (Météo France) will issue information and warning alerts to authorities and media, who will relay these to the population. Strict compliance with decisions from the authorities will be expected.