French weekly weather forecast September 22 - 26: cold snap and snow returns to mountains

A return to cold weather is expected across France this week, with temperatures dropping significantly below seasonal averages. 

In the mountains, snowfall will begin on Tuesday in the Alps, spreading to other mountain ranges by Wednesday onwards.

A return to powerful storms such as those experienced in the south-east over the weekend is unlikely.

Monday September 22 

Persistent showers across north-east and central France remain in place, but significant rainfall is unlikely. 

Dry and sunny weather in the south and Mediterranean follows Sunday’s storms, and in Normandy and Brittany darker clouds are likely, even if rainfall is not forecast. 

Temperatures of around 20C - 25C in the south and south-east are the highest nationally, and an outlier for the week ahead. 

Dropping to 17C in the south-west, west, and north, parts of east and central France could see highs of just 11C during the day, up to 8C below seasonal norms. 

Tuesday September 23 

Rain will continue across central and eastern areas, with strong winds from Germany pushing all the way down into the Pyrénées. 

Conditions in the south and north will remain similar, although with temperatures dropping by around 2C in both places. 

In the Alps, the first snows of the season will fall at 1,800m and above. 

Wednesday September 24

These rains will push westwards, reaching Brittany and Normandy. 

The cold front will make conditions across most of the country unstable, flitting between rain, sun, cloud, and wind within a matter of hours.

Along the Mediterranean however, sunshine is more likely, alongside stronger winds. 

Snow will fall at a slightly lower altitude of 1,700m in the Alps as well as the Pyrénées and Massif Central. 

The average temperature across the country is forecast to reach 12C, close to 5C lower than usual for the season. 

In several areas, this will be closer to 10C lower than usual due to the cold front. 

These temperature recordings do not take into account winds or rain, so in locations facing these conditions it may feel even colder. 

Thursday September 25 

Conditions will remain much the same, although temperatures may rise slightly. 

Rain will persist in central areas at a slow and steady rate, with frequent showers. 

Nice is the only location likely to see temperatures reach 20C or higher. 

Snow will continue in the mountains at the same altitudes. 

In central areas, low overnight temperatures of close to 0C could see the first frosts of the season, remaining in place in the mornings for the coming days.

Friday September 26

Showers along the Loire valley and Normandy to Lyon are expected at the end of the week, but will be relatively weak, with the worst of the cold front over. 

Temperatures will climb slightly once more, although nationally still fall below average due to the cold snap remaining in the east. 

Early forecasts for the weekend see showers remain in several areas, but temperatures to rise throughout France back close to average levels.