orage

Orage is the French term for a convective storm, typically a thunderstorm characterized by lightning, thunder, and often heavy rain. It is used in meteorology and weather reporting across Francophone regions to describe evolving convective activity that can vary in intensity.

Orages form when warm, moist air near the surface becomes unstable and rises rapidly. This ascent leads to the development of cumulonimbus clouds, inside which strong updrafts create lightning and thunder. The organization and severity of an orage depend on factors such as moisture, atmospheric instability, and wind shear; storms may remain isolated or cluster into lines or complexes that can cover large areas.

Orages can produce a range of hazards, including intense precipitation, hail, strong gusty winds, and localized flooding. Severe or damaging storms may cause property damage, power outages, or driving hazards. Safety guidelines emphasize seeking shelter indoors during a storm, avoiding open fields, and staying away from windows and water, as well as heeding official warnings.

Forecasting and monitoring rely on radar, satellite imagery, weather models, and on-site observations. In Francophone weather services, forecasts may issue alerts such as advisories or warnings for orages, and the terminology reflects varying degrees of severity. The term orage also appears in everyday language to refer to stormy weather in general.