French weekly weather forecast May 4 - 8: rain, storms and yo-yoing temperatures

A cold front settled over most of France is set to bring persistent rainfall across several areas this week. 

There is also a risk of storms, particularly in the south-west, which was already buffeted by storms and hail over the weekend. 

However, the surface level rain is helping to reduce concerns over possible droughts and water usage restrictions.

Monday May 4 

All of France is set to be impacted by rain at the start of the week. 

In the north and east, precipitation will come in the form of showers, although moving southwards it will fall harder and for longer periods. The south-east will see much of the rainfall.

A storm formation will move from the Pyrénées across the south – bringing the risk of hail around Toulouse – before moving north into central France. It may reach Paris by the evening, although it will be weaker in intensity at this point. 

As of 08:00 this morning, state forecaster Météo France has not issued heightened warnings for the storms, although most of the country remains on a tier-two yellow alert, the first level of alerts. Check the forecaster’s website to see warnings in your area.

Weaker storms are also forecast in Provence and the Atlantic border.

Temperatures will hover between 14C - 18C, with the south slightly cooler than the north due to the stronger presence of the cold front. 

Tuesday May 5 

Tuesday will see a continuation of rainfall, particularly in the north and west and along the Loire Valley. 

Coastal areas of Normandy may escape the brunt of the rain, however this will be due to a powerful wind originating from the English Channel blowing into the area, bringing a chilly feel to the air.

The south-east will begin the day calm and even sunny, but the risk of storms is present later in the day. The Pyrénées will see weak storms throughout the day, as will the Rhône Valley.

Temperatures will drop slightly, with highs of around 17C, although in the south-east it will be closer to 20C if calm conditions remain. 

Wednesday May 6

Morning sunshine along the north, west, and south coasts will not be enough to prevent deteriorating conditions throughout the day.

Rain will fall throughout the morning in central areas, slowly fanning out to reach as far as Nice, Bordeaux, and Strasbourg, as well as the Pyrénées foothills. 

A high-pressure system moving in from the British Isles will keep the north of France mostly dry, including Normandy and inland Brittany. 

Temperatures will be at their lowest of the week, with highs of 11C - 14C in the north (although Brittany will see highs of potentially 16C). 

In the south, highs of 16C in the south-west and 19C along the Mediterranean are possible, but will both be brief before dropping down. 

A national average temperature of 12.7C (measured across the entire day and in all areas of France) is around 1.5C lower than average for the beginning of May. 

Thursday May 7 

Early forecasts point to the high-pressure system dominating France, pushing away any remnants of rain and leading to a dry day. 

However, the wind will bring chilly mornings, and in Normandy and Hauts-de-France there will be a risk of overnight frost. 

In these northern areas, morning temperatures will be close to 0C on Thursday.

The south should benefit from plenty of sun, even if temperatures are cooler than usual. 

Nationally, highs of 14C - 16C in the north, and 16C - 19C in the south are forecast. 

Friday May 8 

The risk of a weather pattern bringing a renewed bout of rains and storms is present on Friday. 

It is expected to move in from the Atlantic overnight, bringing showers to the western coastline before quickly covering most of France with rain.

Only the north and north-east is set to remain sunny and dry, and further storms in the south-west are possible.

Early weekend forecasts predict this rain will cement itself across the country even as temperatures rise.