Orange weather alert issued for Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales on Sunday

Météo-France issued a bulletin stating that at 6 a.m. on Sunday the departments of Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales will be placed under orange vigilance for rain and floods. The warning comes as the storm system that affected north-east Spain late Saturday is expected to move northward into southern France. Meteorologists anticipate heavy precipitation, with rates of 50-80 mm in short bursts and total daily totals that could climb to 80-120 mm, and isolated amounts of 150-180 mm in the most affected spots.

Aude, which was on orange alert on Saturday morning, was lowered to yellow later that day, while Hérault and Gard, previously under red alerts, have also been reduced to yellow. The severe weather earlier forced school closures and disrupted public transport in cities such as Montpellier.