A storm alert for the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var from Météo France remains in place until tomorrow evening, with heavy rainfall, strong gusts of wind and rough seas set to hit the region tonight and all day on Friday. The so-called Mediterranean episode is a weather phenomenon in which hot and humid air from the Mediterranean generates violent storms, most commonly in the autumn, that can see a large amount of rain fall in just a few hours. The storm could see waves up to four metres high and winds gusting up to 110 kilometres per hour. A spell of intense rainfall began in the Cévennes on Wednesday and is gradually making its way across the Paca region. Between 12 and 15cm of rainfall is possible locally in the Alpes-Maritimes - and snow above 2,400 metres. Heavy rain this morning led to a 23 kilometre traffic jam on the A8 motorway Italy-bound between Mandelieu Est and Saint-Laurent-du-Var. In the event of violent storms, the official advice is to avoid driving and stay at home, stay away from coastal paths, avoid going into cellars or underground car parks and stay informed with your local mairie. The City of Nice has banned access to its parks, gardens, cemeteries and the coastal path. Shops and restaurants have been instructed to close their terraces, secure their outdoor furniture and close any shelters and awnings. The weather is due to calm down again on Saturday.
The Alpes-Maritimes prefecture has banned a rally in support of the people of Palestine that had been planned for this Sunday on Place Masséna in Nice. The prefecture said there was a serious risk of public order disturbances if t
