Fortunately, there were no injuries in the storm that battered the east of the Alpes Maritimes on Monday afternoon, but with gusts that peaked at 120 kph in Sospel, and 103 kph in Menton, there was considerable damage to property.

Trees fell and blocked roads, mainly on more exposed higher ground, and several roofs were damaged. A gas mains was ruptured when two trees fell in Menton itself.

In Monaco, the biggest problem reported to the authorities was the flooding of a number of cellars. At Nice Airport, the temperature fell from 28 to 16 degrees as the storm approached.

The weather outlook for the second half of July promises highs of 28-30 degrees, with night-time temperatures falling to between 20 and 22.