Hot and stormy summer in store

AFTER a warm and stormy winter, a hot and stormy summer is forecast for France, with coastal regions enjoying the best of the weather.

Régis Crépet, a seasonal forecast specialist with Météo Consult said that he expects frequent storms in mountainous regions in July, while central and coastal areas should remain dry and sunny.

The beaches of Brittany and Pays de la Loire, he said, can expect plenty of warm sunshine as a series of anticyclones force Atlantic depressions north towards the UK, while beaches further south should also avoid the worst of any storms, as they are more likely to erupt inland.

Temperatures are expected to remain high for most of August, though the southwest of the country, in particular, can expect to witness violent thunderstorms.

Mr Crepet said: “The second half is likely to be warmer in the country, especially on the east.”

Across the summer, temperatures could be as much as 2C above average, and any rainfall is likely to be very heavy.

Photo: Niels Epting