Storms, then calm and warm days return: French weekly weather outlook May 12 - 16
Temperatures will reach around 2C higher than the national average for mid-May
Weather will be calm in most areas from Wednesday onwards
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Calm weather conditions across France will gradually return this week, particularly from Wednesday onwards, as storms are pushed away by British anticyclonic winds.
Temperatures will rise to reach around 2C higher than the national average for mid-May.
Monday May 12
However, this return to calm will not be immediate with storms and rain forecast across the country on Monday.
Thunderstorms are expected from Normandy to the Alps and the south-east, with a particular risk in the Pyrénées, Brittany, the north-east, and near the Belgian border.
Other areas will face intermittent showers throughout the day, with perhaps the central Mediterranean coast being the only area to remain dry.
Despite this, no heightened warnings are in place from state forecaster Météo France, although this may change if conditions worsen throughout the day.
Temperatures will range from between 17C to 20C although it will be slightly cooler in coastal areas in the north and north-west.
Read more: Storms in France: what to do if at home, out walking or in car
Tuesday May 13
Conditions are similar on Tuesday, with more storms predicted between Normandy and the Alps.
There is a small chance of stormy weather in the Pyrénées and around Perpignan and rain is forecast in the west and in Brittany.
The north and east of France – ranging from the Belgian border to Alsace – should see sunny skies, and temperatures of up to 24C are expected in Lille.
Elsewhere, temperatures will reach around 20C, with the national average being higher than normal for this time of year.
Wednesday May 14
Wednesday is when a real change begins as a British anticyclonic wind pushes south and covers the north of France.
It will push away any remaining rain clouds, bringing sunny skies and temperatures of up to 26C (although coastal areas of Normandy may struggle to see 16C or above).
In the south, a risk of rain is present from the Atlantic to the Alps, and some storms are forecast in Brittany - although they will be sporadic and less threatening than at the start of the week, and will fizzle out during the day.
Thursday May 15
The anticyclonic winds will move further south into France, pushing the rain to the limits of the country.
The vast majority of France will be dry and sunny, with pockets of the Alps potentially experiencing brief storms, and rain in the Pyrénées.
Temperatures will drop north of the Seine compared to Wednesday, but increase elsewhere, with highs of 25C in central France.
Friday May 16
More sunshine is forecast, although rain may threaten the Mediterranean coastline, Alps, and Pyrénées once more.
Forecasts are less certain about temperatures, although they should hover around 20C or more.
The calm conditions are set to extend into the weekend, with temperatures increasing to 25C and rain remaining limited to the fringes of the south.
