June 2012 was among wettest

FOR much of France the past month was one of the wettest in recent memory – with overall 20% more rain than average for June.

In the Ile-de-France, in particular, this year’s was the wettest June since 1959 and temperatures were exceptionally low.

However the wet weather was not equally spread out around the country – Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur had less rain than usual, down 15-40% depending on the area.

The map shows rainfall in June compared to the average for the last 30 years, with the blue areas those with a lot of rain, the red ones areas that were dry.

Two studies – by an intergovernmental body, GIEC, and by Météo France – show that there is a tendency towards rainier weather in the temperate parts of the world, which means that in years to come northern France is likely to continue to face more regular rain, spread over the year. The south on the other hand, is expected to see more rainfall deficits.

Climate experts are also concerned about the likelihood of an increase in “exceptional episodes”, such as heatwaves, floods and storms.

The GIEC says these are made more likely because a high level of water vapour stored up in the atmosphere tends to create “strong depressions” (areas of low atmospheric pressure, characterised by rain and unstable weather).

Photo: Météo France