A natural disaster strikes France. More than 39,000 lightning flashes hit the country in one night, and floods kill two people.

Arab Weather - France has been affected over the past two days by a severe weather disturbance, which has been felt across the country amidst a severe weather instability that has led to the formation of giant thunderclouds, accompanied by severe thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and hailstorms (the scientific reasons for the formation of this weather system are at the bottom of the report).

More than 39,000 lightning flashes in one night

According to statistics compiled by Arab Weather experts, more than 39,000 lightning strikes struck the country on the night of June 25, and violent storms swept through France, accompanied by massive hail and strong winds exceeding 100 km/h.

On the same night, France experienced a violent wave of thunderstorms, including heavy rainfall exceeding 150 mm in certain areas, leading to flash flooding, especially in Paris and surrounding areas.

On June 26, areas such as Bernay and the center of the country (Puy-de-Dôme) received between 25–50 mm of rain in one hour, causing flash floods in cities.

On June 27, the intense activity continued, with 70,000 lightning strikes, strong winds reaching speeds of up to 140 km/h, and hailstones as large as 8 cm in size falling in some areas.

human losses

According to statistics, two people were killed: a 12-year-old boy in Tarn-et-Garonne and a man in Mayenne when a tree fell on him. Seventeen people were injured, four of whom were in critical condition.

material losses

Winds uprooted trees and power lines, and massive hail caused extensive property and vehicle damage. Paris streets, metro stations, and parts of the Parliament building were flooded. Heavy rains also caused widespread crop damage in Champagne, Picardy, and the Massif Central.

Scientific reasons for the formation of this weather system

Arab Weather experts analyzed the weather system affecting France. Weather maps showed a cold, humid air mass sweeping in from the Atlantic Ocean, coinciding with hot air near the surface. A strong heat wave hit the country a few days ago, triggered by a hot air mass coming from North Africa.

This led to the formation of what is known as a cold front, which is an ideal environment for the formation of very strong thunderstorms, updrafts, and rapid condensation of moisture with a large difference in temperatures.

Another factor contributing to the development of the atmospheric disturbance was the heat wave that affected France a few days ago, which raised temperatures to 35-38°C in some areas. This excessive heating of the Earth's surface led to increased atmospheric instability and an increase in the air's ability to carry water vapor, which led to the formation of violent and giant thunderclouds, in addition to the rush of moisture that arrived from the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Oceans.