Thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are expected from Wednesday evening until Thursday in several parts of the Mediterranean region, including the Var and the Alpes-Maritimes. Heavy damage could result from this new “Mediterranean episode”, a common weather phenomenon whose intensity is increasing with global warming.
The Mediterranean region is facing heavy rainfall and violent storms. Between Wednesday and Thursday, a deterioration in rainfall and storms will set in in some departments in the south-east, particularly in the Var and the Alpes-Maritimes, before moving towards Italy. A scenario that leads forecasters to say that a “Mediterranean episode” – characterized by very heavy rainfall over a very short period – is taking place, in particular due to the presence of a cold drop descending from the United Kingdom, which should come into conflict with the warm and humid air of the Mediterranean, explains Météo France.
This air mass conflict would then create “a typical situation” of this meteorological phenomenon which occurs in a privileged way in autumn, from September to mid-December, when the sea is still warm. During this episode, which can occur several times a year, “the equivalent of several months of precipitation falls in just a few hours or days, which can be dangerous and cause serious damage locally,” explains Météo-France.
“This Mediterranean episode is the first of the year,” also advances Adèle Luy, forecaster at Météo France. If the expert affirms Release that this phenomenon is not becoming more common, she notes however that “its intensity increases with climate change and rising temperatures.”
According to the weather institute, heavy precipitation “exceeding 200 mm of water in one day” can be observed, and then cause flooding by runoff and overflow of watercourses, landslides, mud and debris flows. Consequences similar to the Cévennes episodes, specific to the Cévennes sector, and a particular case of the Mediterranean episode.
Several departments already on alert
“From this afternoon, thunderstorms, sometimes very rainy, will affect part of the south-eastern quarter. This evening and next night, we are expecting thunderstorms, sometimes violent, near the PACA coast, with in particular significant electrical activity, very strong rainfall intensities, and occasional violent gusts,” thus warns Météo-France.
In addition, the departments of Var and Alpes-Maritimes will be placed on orange alert from 6 p.m. Wednesday for “storms,” Météo-France announced in its morning bulletin. Accumulations of around 60 mm to 80 mm, fairly widespread, with peaks exceeding a hundred millimeters, are expected for this episode. The meteorological organization specifies that a “extension of orange alert to other departments remains possible.”
