Best September weather since 1985

FRANCE will continue to enjoy unseasonably high temperatures this weekend, as the country enjoys a warm spell not seen in September in more than a quarter of a century.

Temperatures this week have been about eight degrees above the average for September. The south-west has seen 32°C in recent days and the north 27-28°C.

Météo France says the country has had an "atypical" summer - the hot weather started early, but July was one of the worst on record and September has been one of the warmest.

The last hot spell in September dates back to 1985, when temperatures peaked at 35°C in the south-west. The hottest September temperature on record was 40°C, in Corsica in 1975.

Météo France says the hot, dry and sunny weather will continue across France until at least Monday. Temperatures are expected to fall later next week as autumn arrives.

The exceptional conditions have exacerbated France's drought problems. Rainfall is up to 50% lower than usual and about two-thirds of the aquifers under France are at below-normal levels.

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