May temperature records could be broken in France next week
This week’s hot weather is set to continue, with predicted highs of 30-33C in some places, bringing thunderstorms, especially in the west
The mercury is set to rise to record-breaking highs of 30-33C across France next week
Olya Detry / Shutterstock
Hot weather is set to continue in France over the next week, with high temperatures forecast from May 16 to 22, Météo France has said. Some records may even be broken for the time of year.
The sunny days seen over the past week are expected to continue, with temperatures predicted to hit 30C in most regions, due to “a southerly wind", the forecaster said.
Read more:25°C in the north, 30°C in the south: Hot weather arrives in France
Records may even be broken for May, with peaks of 33C expected in the “Midi of France” – in the south – it said.
High heat and a risk of “localised thunderstorms” will be present this weekend, especially in Pays de la Loire and Brittany on Saturday, May 14.
On Sunday, “the weather will be very hot in the south and east, with more marked heat than the day before”, becoming “heavier”, especially in the southwest, the forecaster said.
The area between Toulouse and Provence could see highs of 30-33C.
Read more:7 French expressions to use when it's hot weather
However, the thunderstorms the hot weather could bring may lead to a drop in temperatures, it added, especially in the northwest and Atlantic coastal regions.
This will continue in the week of May 23 to 29, but possibly only for a few days. The drop in temperatures will likely be "short enough to give way to the return of the Azores high a few days later", Météo France added.
Sun lovers may enjoy the weather, but it is set to be problematic for regions that are already struggling with a water deficit.
Read more:Water restrictions in place: how bad is the drought risk in France?
Yet, Météo France said that just because May is hot, it does not mean that France is guaranteed a hot summer.
“The hottest month of May since 1945 was the May of 2011 [but] the summer that followed was not hotter than normal,” it said.
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