Latest news with #FrançoisGourand
Local France
17 hours ago
- Climate
- Local France
Heatwaves in France: earlier, hotter, longer
"We have observed, in a very well-documented manner, that heatwaves are occurring earlier and earlier, longer and longer, and more intense," Météo-France forecaster François Gourand told Franceinfo . Although heatwaves are far from a new phenomenon, Météo France's records show that they are becoming more and more common as global temperatures rise. READ ALSO 'Avoid iced water and air-conditioning on max' - How the French stay cool in a heatwave Between 1947 and 2024, national forecaster Météo-France recorded 49 heatwaves - defined in France as an episode where temperatures are abnormally high for several days. Advertisement READ ALSO How hot will it get in France this summer? Between 1947 and 1957, four heat waves were recorded. This figure has increased fivefold over the last 10 years, from 2014 to 2024. They will become increasingly common by the end of the century. By 2050, when France will already be, on average, 2.7C warmer than the pre-industrial period, the number of heatwave days will increase fivefold again, according to Météo-France. And tenfold in a France 4C hotter than the pre-industrial period, by 2100. To put that into perspective, we're currently running at around 1.7C above pre-industrial norms. READ ALSO In Maps: The five worst French cities to spend a heatwave in Climate change is making France hotter on average. But heatwaves will get more intense. To calculate a national heatwave, Météo-France runs the numbers of the national heat index – it must exceed 25.3C for one day and 23.4C for at least three days for the French forecaster to declare a heatwave. Back during the deadly 16-day heatwave in 2003, when temperatures above 40C were recorded in Toulouse, Lyon, Dax and Orange, the national heat index rose past 29C. In 2019, a heatwave of shorter duration – when a new local record high temperature of 46C was set in the Hérault, the national heat index was higher still. READ ALSO How to get a good night's sleep in a French heatwave Beyond their accelerated frequency and intensity, these heatwaves are starting to hit France earlier and later in the summer. A mid-June heatwave such as the one we're entering here, which was once considered unseasonably early, is now increasingly common – while it has also become more common in recent years to experience these weather phenomena after August 15th. Our children, and our children's children are likely to endure heatwaves from mid-May all the way through to the end of September, experts warn.
LeMonde
2 days ago
- Climate
- LeMonde
'Early' heatwave with temperatures reaching 38°C to sweep France, peaking Saturday
France hasn't even entered summer yet, and it's already going to be sweltering. The country was expected, starting Thursday, June 19, to undergo its 50 th heatwave since records began in 1947, with temperatures reaching up to 38°C in some areas. "It will be early, with remarkable heat levels for June, though not unprecedented," said Matthieu Sorel, a climatologist at Météo-France, the French national meteorological service. Starting Thursday, the already high temperatures are set to climb even further, reaching between 32°C and 35°C in eastern France. The reason is a blocking anticyclone over much of Europe that "allows for a gradual increase in heat," explained François Gourand, a forecaster at Météo-France. On Friday, a cold drop (a pocket of colder air at altitude) over the nearby Atlantic is expected to draw even hotter air from North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula. As a result, temperatures are forecast to hit between 34°C and 36°C in western France and between 36°C and 38°C in the center-west and Mediterranean regions. Nights at a minimum of 20°C On Saturday, at the peak of the wave, the heat is set to be intense, with values frequently between 34°C and 38°C, especially throughout western France and the inland Mediterranean region. The nights will be tropical, meaning that temperatures will not fall below 20°C, preventing the body from getting a good night's rest. Other European countries, such as Spain and the United Kingdom, will also be affected.
Local France
4 days ago
- Climate
- Local France
French forecasters predict nationwide heatwave this week
Temperatures are predicted to start to rise on Wednesday, with an average of 30C across the country before spiking on Thursday and Friday. "The mercury will rise slowly to around 33C on Thursday, before reaching 34 or 35C on Friday, expected to be the hottest day of the episode', Météo France's François Gourand told Le Parisien . Although the whole country will see high temperatures, it is predicted to be slightly cooler in the west. Temperatures are expected to fall slightly over the weekend, but forecasters predict that the period of hot weather will last into the start of next week. The cause is an 'Omega blockage' - a front of warm air from southern Europe that is predicted to get stuck over France and the southern part of England, leading to a sustained period of hot temperatures. READ ALSO : Everything you need to know about staying cool in a French heatwave✎
