Clear and dry with a cold north wind: French weekend weather update September 14-15
The unseasonably low temperatures may feel more like October
This weekend could see France’s average national temperature hit a record low for September in the 21st-Century
Chiara Tamburini / Shutterstock / Météo France
France will remain in the grip of unseasonably cold weather over the weekend of September 14-15, as low temperatures and a cold north wind will make it feel more like October despite the clear skies.
The combination of a depression over the North Sea and an anticyclone over the Atlantic Ocean is drawing polar air south, resulting in temperatures around five degrees below the seasonal average.
In fact, this weekend could see France’s average national temperature hit a seven-day record low for September in the 21st-Century according to French weather service Météo France. The previous record low for September was in 2017 when temperatures were three degrees below average.
Friday, September 13
Cold, dry and blustery weather over most of the country with a strong northerly (mistral) wind along the Rhône valley and a north-westerly tramontane wind along the Mediterranean crescent.
The northern half of the country will see veils of cloud for much of the day, with the north-east most affected.
Temperatures of 17C are forecast for Paris and Brittany, 16C in Normandy and along the Channel coast, 18C in Biarritz, 13C in Vichy and 14C in Strasbourg.
The south crescent will enjoy slightly higher temperatures, with a risk of storms in the south-east.
Highs of 21C in Ajaccio, Corsica.
Saturday, September 14
The cold weather will persist despite clear skies for most of the country, with the mistral gaining in strength, reaching up to 85km/h at Montelimar, Drôme.
Temperatures are expected to remain 5 degrees below average, with 17C forecast for Paris, 18C for Brittany, 18C in Normandy and along the Channel coast, 18C in Biarritz, 16C in Vichy and 14C in Strasbourg.
The Mediterranean coast will be slightly warmer, with 23C in Perpignan, 22C in Montpellier and 23C in Nice.
Highs of 25C in Ajaccio, Corsica.
Sunday, September 15
Veiled clouds will return to the north of the country. Temperatures in the south should rise by one or two degrees.
The mistral will continue in the Rhône valley.
Temperatures of 18C are forecast for Paris, 19C for Brittany, 18C for Normandy and along the Channel coast, 16C in Biarritz, 16C in Vichy and 15C in Strasbourg.
Temperatures along the southern coast are 24C in Perpignan, 23C in Marseille and 24C in Nice, with highs of 25C in Montpellier, Hérault, and Ajaccio, Corsica.
Looking ahead to next week
The current cold snap will give way to overcast and wetter weather on September 16-17. Temperatures should climb to above 20C all over France by Wednesday afternoon (September 18).
The mistral will keep blowing until Tuesday.
Early forecasts by Météo France suggest that warm weather may return to France in time for next weekend (September 21-22)
