French weekly weather forecast April 13 - 17: return of spring but some rain persists

Warm and spring-like conditions will return to much of France by the end of the week, although the week will be marred by rain and thick grey clouds in several areas.

Despite warmer conditions, the risk of morning frosts remains present across much of the north and centre of the country at the start of the week, as overnight temperatures remain chilly. 

Monday April 13 

The week begins with the remnants of last weekend’s rain and grey skies covering the eastern part of France. 

Showers are forecast in Normandy and central areas of the country, with more sustained rainfall in the Alps, German border areas, and the south-east / Rhône Valley. 

The west will be free of rain but remain largely cloudy. 

Temperatures of around 8C in the east remain well below average, and for much of the rest of the country however between 12C - 15C, slightly chillier than usual for mid-April.

The south-east, it may reach 20c despite the rain. 

Tuesday April 14 

The return of anticyclonic winds across France will push much of the rain away, although showers along the Brittany and English Channel coastlines are possible, as well as in the Jura and Alps. 

Sunshine is forecast across most of France, although the presence of thin and wispy white clouds in the sky is expected in most areas outside of Provence and Occitanie.

Strong Mistral and Tramontane winds will blow in the south, although temperatures will reach typical levels for the season (15C - 20C), keeping the spring-like feel. 

In the north, temperatures of 16C - 19C are well above average, despite Normandy seeing morning frost. 

Wednesday April 15 

Rain will move in from the northern Atlantic coast, covering Brittany and western Normandy with weak but persistent showers. 

Elsewhere, cloudy skies are expected in the north, but rain is not forecast.

The south will generally be sunnier, although storms in the Mediterranean may hit Corsica and clip the south-east. 

Temperatures of 18C - 20C mark the return of above-average national temperatures, although are not as high as last week. 

Thursday April 16 

A sunny morning will quickly see the appearance of thick clouds over much of northern France, which bring the risk of rain. 

Forecasters are not yet sure how much rain will fall, but showers are expected over Alsace.

Outside of this however, conditions should remain dry.

The south will see clearer skies, helped in part by stronger winds blowing away clouds. 

Temperatures will remain around 18C - 21C, including in the east, seeing temperatures in the area rise by around 10C from Monday to Thursday. 

Friday April 17 

Conditions remain much the same, with some clouds in the north and sunshine in the south. 

Again, forecasters remain unsure on the impact of northern clouds, which may bring rain to Normany, Hauts-de-France and Paris in the morning. 

Temperatures will rise further, reaching 23C in Bordeaux and parts of the Rhône Valley. 

Early forecasts for the weekend see similar conditions, with temperatures remaining above average despite a risk of rain in the north.