Lingering rain to put a damper on France’s presidential election on Sunday

By Eric Leister, AccuWeather meteorologist

By Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

May 6,2017, 9:45:56AM,EDT

 

 

While Sunday will not be as wet across France as the start of this weekend, some residents will still need umbrellas when heading to the polls.
As millions of people set out to cast their vote in the presidential election on Sunday, the soaking rain from Saturday will not have fully departed France.
The steadiest and more prolonged rain will fall across east-central France, including Lyon, Clermont-Ferrand, Grenoble and Strasbourg.

No widespread travel impacts are expected, but AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys is concerned that the rain will give way to thunderstorms in the afternoon in Alsace and Franche Comte.
Some of these thunderstorms could produce hail.
As soon as thunder is heard, residents will have to seek shelter to avoid being struck by lightning. Anyone caught waiting at a polling station outdoors may have to temporarily head back to their vehicles.
Scattered showers will also dampen the day around Limoges. While the day will not feature constant rainfall, there will be several showers throughout the day.
In addition to umbrellas, spring jackets will be needed due to the rain and scattered showers. Highs in these areas will be held to 14-18 C (57-64 F).
A shower will also extend back to Bordeaux and may clip Toulouse.
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No umbrellas will be needed across far southern France as dry and mild weather dominates underneath a partly to mostly sunny sky.
Highs of 20-22 C (lower 70s F) will prevail from Bayonne to Perpignan and in Montpellier, Marseille and Nice.
More residents of the Languedoc region, including Marseille and Montpellier, will notice a gusty wind blowing on Sunday. The winds could wreak havoc with party supporters attempting to set up booths with pamphlets or will blow down unsecured campaign signs.
Most of Sunday will be dry along the coast of northern France. However, a stray shower can develop.
Clouds will not only limit sunshine, but also hold temperature highs to slightly below seasonable levels in Paris. Highs of 15-17 C (59-63 F) are expected with slightly cooler air at the immediate coastline.