Temperatures to reach 30C in south: French weekly weather outlook May 26 - 30

The current unstable weather will be replaced by warm, summery conditions and temperatures of up to 30C by the end of the week; good news for those taking advantage of the Ascension public holiday on Thursday (May 29). 

However, the days leading up to this are set to be marked by rain and strong winds in several areas. 

Temperatures will soar into the weekend, reaching around 4C above the national average for the end of May/start of June.

Monday May 26 

The week will start off grey for many, with thick clouds covering most of France from Normandy to Toulouse. 

The Mediterranean, coastal south-west, and German border areas are the only places likely to see an extended bout of sunshine. 

However, rain will be mostly limited to the northern coast and Brittany. 

Temperatures will hover between 16C and 18C in the north, and 20C to 23C in the south. 

Areas around Montpellier will see an outlying high of around 27C, provided the area remains sunny.

Tuesday May 27 

Grey skies will persist in the north, particularly around Normandy and the Hauts-de-France regions.

Winds of up to 80 km/h are expected on the coast, but rain will again be limited to these coastal areas. 

Areas south of La Rochelle and Lyon will see sunshine, with fewer clouds towards the Mediterranean and south-west. 

Temperatures will climb slightly compared to the previous day, up to 17C to 20C in the north, and between 22C and 25C in the south. 

Montpellier may see temperatures of 29C. 

Wednesday May 28 

Rain will move eastwards into the Grand Est region, although it is not expected to be heavy and will dissipate by the evening. 

The sun will slowly return to most areas of the north except the Grand Est, although some thin, wispy clouds are likely to remain.

Temperatures will begin to climb in the north, reaching 20C in most areas and up to 23C in Rennes (only the Grand Est will see temperatures below 16C). 

Most areas in the south will see highs of 24C, rising to 30C in Montpellier. 

Thursday May 29 

The arrival of the Ascension public holiday will coincide with the end of rainfall across the country, sparking good news for those looking to take advantage of the day off.

Cloudy skies in the north of France will clear by around midday, leaving most of the country basking in the sun. 

The south-west will in particular benefit. 

Temperatures will reach around 18C to 20C along the Normandy and Brittany coastlines and in the Grand Est region, between 22C and 25C inland in the north, and between 25C and 30C in the south. 

Friday May 30 

The summery conditions will be in full swing by the end of the week, as an Azores anticyclone covers France. 

Morning conditions in the north will see grey skies and showers in Normandy and north of the Seine, but these will quickly be blown away by the incoming winds. 

By the afternoon, all of France will be under clear, sunny skies, with temperatures reaching their hottest of the year so far.

In the north, temperatures will hover between 20C and 23C, rising to 25C in some places. 

The south will again see temperatures between 25C and 30C, although the Mediterranean coastline and south-west may see this rise to 32C or more. 

Hot weather is set to continue into the weekend, with temperatures peaking on Sunday (June 1).