France’s official average temperature rises by 0.4C after review

The official average seasonal temperatures in France have increased following a recalculation by national forecasting service Météo-France.

The forecaster has this week begun to draw its data from a new reference period: 1991-2020 as opposed to 1981-2010.

During this time, the average annual temperature is now 12.97C, having increased by 0.4C from 12.55.

It is in spring and summer that the temperature rise is most apparent, especially in the south and east of the country, in regions such as Grand-Est and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.

In comparison to the preceding period, the number of very hot days – where temperatures reached at least 30C – has risen by eight in Nîmes (Gard), nine in Figari (Corsica) and 10 in Marignane (Bouches-du-Rhône).

The number of days where temperatures hit freezing is in decline, falling by eight in Troyes (Aube), Poitiers (Vienne), Langres (Haute-Marne) and Chambéry (Savoie) and by 10 in Lyon.

In contrast, the average yearly amount of precipitation has not changed significantly, sitting between 911 and 935mm.

In Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, the amount of rainfall has actually increased over this 30-year period during the months in which the water table is replenished (September to March), although this was not the case this year.

Read more:Drought alerts now expected for almost all departments in France

Only in the north east of France has there been a notable drop in the amount of rainfall.

These averages enable experts to “characterise the climate” over a given period, “to analyse climatic events in real time”.

Changes in official average temperatures do not impact heatwave thresholds, which are calculated according to various different criteria, in collaboration with Santé publique France and other agencies.

Storms still forecast in south-east France after week of hail damage

After days of violent storms bringing heavy rain, strong winds and hail to France, southeastern areas are set to experience further storms today (June 28).

The rest of France is enjoying clear, sunny weather this morning, but Météo-France has placed 11 departments on yellow alerts for storms.

They are: Haute-Savoie, Savoie, Isère, Hautes-Alpes, Drôme, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Alpes-Maritimes, Var, Bouches-du-Rhône, Vaucluse and Haute-Corse.

The alert will last until this evening; people in affected areas do not need to do anything but should pay particular attention to the evolution of the weather.

Forecaster Chaîne Météo has decided to place Var, Alpes-Maritimes, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Hautes-Alpes under an orange alert.

The stormy weather is expected to set in this afternoon, with clouds forming initially in the mountains and heavy rain creating a risk of flash flooding.

Dordogne hail storms cause roof to fall in

A homeowner in Dordogne has published a video of the damage caused to his house and car by the hail storms which hit the department last week.

Gervais’ home was made uninhabitable by the storm, which brought the ceiling down, filling the roof below with bits of plaster. The hail also dented his car doors and smashed the windscreen.

In the days since it was posted, Gervais’ video – which can be viewed here – has been viewed more than two million times.

Gervais’ friends have now launched a crowdfunding campaign to support him, his wife Deborah and his 13-year-old daughter, who have had to find accommodation elsewhere for now.

Many images of destruction have been shared on social media since the hail storms began last week, damaging countless cars and homes.

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