France’s meteorological service issued a major storm alert for Paris and its surrounding suburbs on Tuesday, as the city hosts the Olympic Games. The alert forecasts strong thunderstorms, heavy rain, hail, and lightning starting at 6:00 pm (1600 GMT).
The weather service warned of “intense precipitation (around 20mm to 40mm in less than an hour)” with effects localized and expected to last until about midnight.
This warning comes amid a heatwave in Paris, with temperatures predicted to reach 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) on Tuesday. The extreme heat is affecting athletes, particularly those competing in outdoor events like beach volleyball at the Eiffel Tower and the women’s rugby semi-finals at the Stade de France.
Other French cities hosting Olympic events are also experiencing a strong heatwave, with temperatures in some central and southern areas reaching 40 degrees Celsius in recent days.