Latest news with #Météo-France
Local France
28-05-2025
- Climate
- Local France
Forecasters predict scorching French summer
Giving accurate predictions about the weather more than a few days in advance, is a notable fool's errand. That, however, doesn't stop national forecaster Météo-France issuing a three-month forecast for the highly anticipated June-July-August period, a few days before the official start of meteorological summer. The forecaster makes it clear that its predictions are based on trends and are based on averages for the summer months, rather than being able to predict specific hot days or period of canicule (heatwave). MAP: The 5 worst French cities to be in during a heatwave And we're most likely in for a 'warmer than normal' summer in France in 2025, particularly in Corsica, Météo-France said. According to the numbers, there's a 50 percent chance that June, July and August will see above average temperatures, compared to a 20 percent chance that the next three months will be cooler than usual. Advertisement This is uncannily similar to the long-term forecast for summer 2024. History, however, records people in northern France wondering what had happened to the sun in the early part of the season, plus a memorable Olympic Games opening ceremony in a July rainstorm. Nevertheless, Météo-France indicates that the chances of a scorchio summer 2025 are higher still in Corsica, where forecasters say the chances of a hotter-than-usual summer are 60 percent. A cool summer on the île de beauté is a 10 percent likelihood. As for rainfall this summer, anything goes. The probability of a drier than normal summer is set at 33 percent, the same as for 'normal' or 'wetter' than normal weather. Now, the scientific caution bit: while these forecasts remain probabilities, they nevertheless attempt to 'determine the expected average trends for the quarter,' according to Météo France. 'Temperature can be considered globally for the season, but a specific event lasting between a few days and a few weeks can only be anticipated a few days in advance,' it said. That's boffin for: it's too early to predict heatwaves, storms, or any actual weather. These figures are probabilities 'mainly associated with the trend of climate change in Europe,' reports Météo France. The Mediterranean basin is more likely to be a summer heat hotspot, but, 'occasional cooler spells cannot be ruled out.' The next couple of days in France may offer a brief early preview of things to come then – with temperatures in the south-west of France expected to soar to between 30C and 35C on Friday. They could reach 29C in Paris, with thunderstorms, particularly in the south, predicted on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon before spreading across large parts of the country on Sunday.
LeMonde
25-05-2025
- Climate
- LeMonde
A spring without rain: Northern Europe faces exceptional early drought
After endless flooding, drought has arrived. Throughout the winter of 2024, catastrophic floods struck the Audomarois and the Aa river delta in the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France. A year later, it is now water scarcity that has hit the region. On Wednesday, May 21, the Pas-de-Calais prefecture imposed water-use restrictions in the same area, the latest of about 10 similar orders implemented since mid-May in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. According to local authorities, water resources in several river basins have reached a "critical threshold." The concern has spread: On Wednesday, the Manche department in Normandy was also placed on alert, and the following day, Meurthe-et-Moselle in northeastern France implemented the same measure. This early drought has deeply worried farmers. But it is not limited to northern France: Drought has affected much of the continent. "Northern Europe is now experiencing a drought that is surprising in both its duration and extent," explained Simon Mittelberger, a climatologist at Météo-France (the French national meteorological service). "Belgium, the Netherlands, northern Germany, Denmark, Poland and the United Kingdom are among the hardest hit." In Hauts-de-France, only 69 millimeters of rain fell between early February and the end of April, the lowest precipitation for that period since 1959, according to Météo-France. "To put it in perspective," said Mittelberger, "that's the amount that usually falls in January alone."
Local France
18-04-2025
- Climate
- Local France
LATEST: French Alps on avalanche warning after snow wreaks havoc
After heavy snowfall on Thursday, France's national weather service Météo-France issued an orange alert for avalanches in the Savoie départment for Friday. The orange alert is its second highest warning level, indicating that anyone in the area should be 'very vigilant', stay informed of developments and follow safety advice issued by public authorities. READ MORE: Explained: How France's weather warning system works "The large quantities of recent snow will start to melt as temperatures rise and the sun returns during the day on Friday. "Avalanche activity will be much lower than on Thursday, but major avalanches are still possible as the recent snow moistens during the day. Locally, these avalanches could reach infrastructures or roads that are usually exposed," the forecaster said. The twin warnings came after more than a metre of snow fell in a few hours in the Alps on Thursday, as a spring storm left at least one dead and caused widespread chaos and road closures . As of Friday morning, all departmental roads in Savoie had been reopened, with the exception of the Arvan tunnel. In the French resort of Val Thorens, a woman suffered cardiac arrest after being buried in an avalanche, authorities said, while several French ski resorts were closed – including Tignes – were closed. The popular ski resort's mayor, Serge Revial, told Franceinfo on Friday that, 'the situation is slowly returning to normal', the morning after residents and visitors were confined to their homes and hotels because of heavy snowfall and risk of avalanches – with restrictions in place 'until further notice'. Thursday's lockdown had applied to 'all neighborhoods, villages, and hamlets in Tignes. Travel within the same neighborhood is only permitted between 3pm and 8pm,' according to the resort's website. 'The snow and precipitation conditions were very intense and complicated, and that's why we took a drastic decision to protect the safety of our fellow citizens,' Revial said. What about skiing on Friday? He added that the ski area 'will be partially reopened' on Friday morning, but that 'under no circumstances should one go off-piste,' because of the risk of avalanches. READ MORE: Is skiing in France becoming more dangerous? 'With what fell on the previous snow cover, it is very dangerous, and we urge the utmost caution. You must stay on the open slopes," Revial said. Corentin Hassmann, commander of the Savoie high mountain gendarmerie platoon, explained to Franceinfo that "the sun will heat up the snow and make it heavier". Advertisement Hassman echoed Revial's warning about the dangers, despite the return of more pleasant conditions. 'Mountain enthusiasts will have to be extra vigilant,' he said, and urged skiers and residents to '[stay] in secure areas' and heed the advice of officials. The avalanche risk remains 'high' at all altitudes, he added, which he said was 'surprising at this time of year'. Huge volumes of snow A number of ski resorts – in Switzerland and Italy, as well as France – were closed because of the snow storm, while rail services were cancelled, roads cut off and schools closed. In Italy, two people were still missing as of Friday morning. Although snow in April is not rare, the amount that has fallen took authorities and residents by surprise. 'Cars are covered up to the roof... Just walking outside is worrying,' Mathis, a hotel employee in Tignes who declined to give his full name, told AFP. 'In such a short time, this is an enormous amount,' said Yann Geaudry, a retired cross-country ski instructor in the French village of Termignon, worried about the risk of floods when the snow melts in the spring sunshine. Heavy trucks were banned from using the main Mont Blanc tunnel between France and Italy. Advertisement Trains were also affected, and at one point more than 3,300 French homes were without power, according to authorities in the Savoie. 'It's truly exceptional,' said Didier Beauchet, a retiree who has lived in Lanslebourg for 40 years. 'I must have seen that only five times,' he told AFP, as motorists around him worked to free their snow-covered cars.
Euronews
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
‘Adapting is not giving up': How France is preparing for 4C of heating by 2100
By Euronews Green Affordable insurance in high-risk areas, heatwave-proof housing and different work schedules are among dozens of new measures. ADVERTISEMENT France is preparing for a future where global heating has risen to 4C above pre-industrial levels, sparking more wildfires and eroding its coastlines. The government unveiled its third national climate adaptation plan yesterday (10 March), outlining dozens of measures to protect citizens in a possible 4C by 2100 scenario. First shared by former Prime Minister Michel Barnier in October last year, the plan received almost 6,000 contributions during a public consultation, and has been developed with scientists and other experts. "Adapting is not giving up," Agnès Pannier-Runacher, France's minister of ecological transition, biodiversity, forests, the sea and fisheries, made clear when announcing the plan on social media site X yesterday. 'The government's policy rests on two legs: on the one hand, it continues to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, on the other, it adapts to the effects of climate change.' France is aiming to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, having already seen its emissions drop by 20 per cent since 2017, according to Pannier-Runacher. But even if net zero is achieved by mid-century, scientists still predict temperatures in the country will climb by at least 4C by 2100 due to the continued impacts of burning fossil fuels. What is France's climate adaptation plan? The new plan focuses on four priority areas, in geographic terms: coastlines, mountains, forests and agriculture. Pannier-Runacher visited Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez in the Vendée region on Friday 7 March, Le Monde reports, where she was able to observe the retreat of the coastline. "There is a very strong expectation from local elected officials, particularly in coastal, mountain or forest communities, but also from healthcare professionals and nursing home residents, who are already experiencing the effects of global warming," she told the French newspaper. The package is designed to help sectors across the board - from business and transport, to infrastructure and agriculture - gradually adapt to the consequences of climate change. It plots a trajectory for climate adaptation (TRACC) based on projections from the national weather agency Météo-France. In an incremental way, it prepares the country for temperature increases of 2C by 2030, 2.7C by 2050, and 4C by 2100 compared to pre-industrial levels. Firefighters tackle a blaze in a forest near Le Luc, southern France, August 2021, when several wildfires swept the Mediterranean region. AP Photo/Daniel Cole There are then five categories of action: protecting people, ensuring the resilience of territories and essential services, adapting human activities, protecting natural and cultural heritage, and mobilising national resources. Specific measures include creating a national map of exposure to natural risks, maintaining affordable insurance offerings even in high-risk areas, and improving housing to remain comfortable despite rising temperatures. 'Adapting also means rethinking work,' Pannier-Runacher wrote on X. 'Faced with heatwaves, it is necessary to adjust schedules, strengthen medical monitoring and protect workers. ADVERTISEMENT 'Let us take inspiration from countries like Greece who are already doing this,' she said. French minister warns against a 'Trumpisation of minds' Discussing the climate adaptation plan yesterday, Pannier-Runacher added, 'There is a form of Trumpisation of minds. Ecology is not a subject reserved for the bobos [bourgeois-bohemian subset] of the big cities.' US President Donald Trump has been gutting federal agencies dedicated to climate science since taking office in January. The French government, though it has been criticised for U-turning on some environmental measures recently, signalled a different direction with its climate plan. 'The main victims of climate change, those who risk their health or lose their homes and jobs, are the working classes, contrary to what the populists try to make us believe,' Pannier-Runacher said. ADVERTISEMENT Does France's climate adaptation plan go far enough? France has put itself ahead of the curve on climate adaptation, after being caught unawares by a deadly heatwave in 2003. The country has a detailed national heatwave plan in place, and cities like Paris are taking efforts a step further as they prepare for potential 50C summers. Pannier-Runacher revealed that €1.6 billion in budgetary resources will be dedicated to the plan from 2025. That includes €1 billion from water agencies' budgets, and €300 million from the Barnier Fund, set up for the prevention of major natural hazards. Environmental groups have welcomed the plan, but raised concerns about how the measures will be implemented, and whether they are ambitious enough. Speaking to French news agency AFP, vice-president of France Nature Environnement Nicolas Richard said it presents "a certain number of good intentions" but faces uncertainty about "whether they are funded and how they are managed". ADVERTISEMENT According to a recent report from the Institute for Climate Economics, between €1 billion and €2.5 billion should be invested annually just in new buildings, €4.4 billion for housing renovation, and at least €1.5 billion per year for agriculture.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
French island of Réunion on highest alert as tropical cyclone threatens direct hit
Réunion island issued its highest level of threat warning as the French Indian Ocean territory braced for a direct hit by a cyclone packing gusts likely to exceed 200 kilometers per hour (124 miles per hour). The heart of Tropical Cyclone Garance – with strength the equivalent of a Category 3 Atlantic hurricane – is 'very likely' to directly impact the western portion of the mountainous island on Friday morning local time, France's meteorology agency said. 'On the rest of the island, cyclonic conditions are becoming widespread with gusts of over 150 kph (93 mph) and rapid variations in both direction and strength depending on the sector,' according to Météo-France. Garance is expected to be the strongest storm to impact the territory of just under 900,000 people since Cyclone Bejisa in January 2014. Authorities on the island issued a purple cyclone warning, their highest level, as winds are expected across much of the territory, likely knocking down power lines and destroying property. Rainfall exceeding 200 millimeters (7.8 inches) is also likely to impact much of the island, which could lead to flash flooding. Réunion lies about 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) to the southeast of Mayotte, another French territory off the east coast of Africa, which suffered destruction likened to an atomic bomb after Cyclone Chido ripped through the archipelago in December, flattening entire neighborhoods and killing at least 31 people. The government of French President Emmanuel Macron came under heavy fire for its handling of the cyclone – the strongest storm to hit the area in more than 90 years. Macron faced jeers from locals as he visited the poverty-stricken territory in the storm's aftermath, but told them they should be 'happy to be in France, because if it wasn't France you'd be 10,000 times even more in the s***.'
