Heatwave and storms: Paris on high alert amid olympic games

The French meteorological agency has issued a weather warning for Paris and the surrounding areas. Thermometers will show temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius. The agency has introduced a "yellow alert"—the second of four levels—for the capital. Orange alerts pertain to storm warnings.

A heatwave covered most of France on Tuesday, including Paris, where the Olympic Games are ongoing. A yellow weather alert has been announced in 41 out of 45 departments of the country. The temperature is expected to reach at least 35 degrees Celsius that day.

The meteorological institute announced that it expects temperatures to be "around 36-38 degrees Celsius, and locally even 39 degrees" in the southwest of the country for the second day in a row and up to 40 degrees in the southeast.

Meteorologists say storms may appear over the French capital after 17:00 GMT.

"This evening and during the first part of the night across the entire Ile-de-France region, a worsening weather situation is likely, with storms and fairly strong electrical discharges expected. The communication will announce An orange alert for the entire region, which means there is a very high risk of severe storms".

Intense rainfall (20 to 40 millimetres in an hour), hail, gusty winds, and persistent electrical activity are expected.

The current heatwave began on Monday and is expected to last through Wednesday.

In Paris, the temperature at the Olympic venues will be around 35 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.

The nights from Tuesday to Wednesday will also be hot – the predicted temperature is at least 22 degrees Celsius.