Intense hailstorm hits Paris, France
Severe hailstorm hit Paris on May 3, 2025, as a low pressure system over the Iberian Peninsula triggered widespread storms across southern France.
Hail strikes Paris on May 3, 2025. Image credit: VBANTONELLI
Severe weather impacted France on Saturday afternoon, May 3, producing an intense hailstorm across Paris. Although the event lasted just a few minutes, it led to traffic and metro disruptions in parts of Île-de-France.
Several metro stations across Paris, including Alma-Marceau and Voltaire on Line 9, and Porte de Champerret on Line 3, were temporarily closed due to flooding caused by the hailstorm. Victor Hugo station on Line 2 also experienced brief service disruptions before reopening later that evening.
Hailstones measuring approximately 4 cm (1.6 inches) in diameter fell across the region, causing damage to vehicles and property. Heavy rainfall associated with the storms led to localized flooding.
Operations at Charles de Gaulle Airport were temporarily disrupted, with multiple flight delays and cancellations reported during the peak of the storm. Météo-France had issued a yellow-level thunderstorm alert earlier in the day for large parts of the country, warning of heavy rain, hail, and localized flooding.
The hailstorm ended the unseasonably warm spring that had been affecting the region. Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport recorded a high of nearly 29°C (84°F) on Thursday, May 1, and 27°C (81°F) on Friday, May 2, which was more than 5°C (9°F) above seasonal for this time of year.
Tempête de grêle inédite à Paris Samedi, ici au Pont de Bir Hakeim à 16h20 le 3/05. #tempeteparis #grele pic.twitter.com/VgyR2h1z9p
— Emedec (@emedec) May 3, 2025
Plusieurs rues et le métro innondé à #Paris après une importante averse de grêle. pic.twitter.com/KNoXAqQZLR
— Clément Lanot (@ClementLanot) May 3, 2025
The stormy weather was forecast to continue through Sunday, with locally heavy rain and hail being forecast across France from the Pyrenees to the Massif Central, then toward the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, as well as on the island of Corsica.
Orage, grêle et espoir, Montmartre, rue d’Orchampt arrivée en roulement de tambours, Jérôme à la technique ! #Grêle #Tempête #Orage #Paris #Montmartre #MontmartreEnchanté #VeronicaAntonelli #Chanson #Dalida pic.twitter.com/IH66VAMvSb
— Veronica Barbara ANTONELLI opera singer #Diva (@VBANTONELLI) May 3, 2025
As the cold front progresses from the north, maximum temperatures drop by up to 10°C (50°F) in some areas, returning to seasonal averages, with 13 to 18°C (55 to 64°F) from north of the Loire to the Grand Est. Further south, temperatures range from 17 to 22°C (62 to 72°F), and even 20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F) in the southeast.
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