French weekly weather forecast July 28 - August 1: unsettled north, high winds in south

An unsettled weather spell is forecast for much of France this week, with frequent showers in the north and east and continuing strong winds in the south. 

A brief improvement midweek will give way to a new low-pressure system moving in from the Atlantic, bringing wet and blustery conditions by Friday.

Monday, July 28

Low-pressure conditions will dominate at the start of the week. 

A band of cloud stretching from Alsace to the Rhône valley and northern Alps will bring showers in the morning, some briefly stormy. 

In the afternoon, precipitation will gradually ease, although the northern Alps may see snow above 2,500m. Light rain will continue along the Pyrenees.

Elsewhere, skies will remain variable, with alternating sunny and cloudy intervals. 

The Mediterranean basin will see the most sunshine, albeit with gales as the northerly Mistral and Tramontane winds reach between 70–90km/h - and up to 100km/h in Roussillon. In Corsica, westerlies will blow at up to 80km/h before easing in the evening.

Afternoon temperatures will range from 19–24C in the north and north-east, and 22-27C elsewhere. Highs of 28-32C are expected near the Mediterranean.

Tuesday, July 29

Conditions will brighten over most regions, but the north-west will see early cloud cover spreading from Brittany during the day. 

Showers are likely, particularly over Normandy and the Paris basin.

The Mediterranean will enjoy more settled weather despite continuing gales of around 60–70km/h. 

The south-east and interior will benefit from sunny spells, with only isolated showers forecast over Corsica and the southern Alps.

Temperatures will reach 24-29C in most regions, rising to 30-33C in southern coastal areas.

Wednesday, July 30

Unstable conditions will return to the north and north-east. 

Scattered showers, sometimes thundery, are forecast from the Hauts-de-France to Alsace and Lorraine. 

Some rain will also fall on the southern Alps and Corsica in the afternoon.

By contrast, western and southern regions will see drier conditions, with sunshine prevailing in many areas. 

Winds will ease slightly but continue near the Mediterranean.

Temperatures will remain close to seasonal norms, reaching 20-25C in the north and 24-29C elsewhere. Warmer conditions will persist near the Mediterranean, with 30-32C possible.

Thursday, July 31

A temporary improvement will set in from the west to the centre, however light showers should be expected from the north of the Seine to the Alps. 

Sunny conditions will continue near the Mediterranean. 

A new low-pressure system moving in from the Atlantic, will bring wet and blustery conditions to Brittany late in the day.

Highs will hover at between 24-27C, with lows from 11 to 15C.

Friday, August 1

The Atlantic front will extend its reach, bringing a mix of rain and showers across the north-west, Alps, and Pyrenees. 

The south and west will be clear at the start of the day, then become overcast.

Temperatures will rise slightly, reaching 26-31C in much of the country although areas along the Channel coast may remain cooler at 20-24C.