Temperatures to reach June levels in south of France this week

A drastic shift in weather patterns is set to see temperatures soar in the south of France this week, reaching levels usually reserved for late spring.

Areas along the Mediterranean coast and the Pyrénées are set to see highs of over 25C before Friday, breaking the all-time January record (25.0C, recorded in Perpignan in 1944).

Tomorrow (Wednesday January 24) the national average temperature is forecast to be 11.4C, over 6C higher than the usual January average.

The unseasonably warm temperatures in the south are set to remain until the weekend, when cloudy, cooler weather will become predominant.

In the north, temperatures are set to remain above average levels from Wednesday onwards but will be coupled with rain, particularly north of the Loire and near the Belgian border.

Rapid turnaround after snowy week

Temperatures today (Tuesday January 23) are already a far cry from last week’s heavy snow, with most areas seeing the thermometer reach double figures, and closer to 20C along the Mediterranean coast.

Wednesday will see the peak of the warm weather, with the entirety of the country experiencing afternoon temperatures significantly above usual averages.

The hottest weather is expected near Perpignan and the foot of the Pyrénées due to a mass of hot, dry wind, however Occitanie, particularly in the Hérault department, could reach 23C.

The post below on X (formerly Twitter) shows the expected general temperatures on Wednesday compared to previous January records. Bear in mind that local temperatures may be even higher, such as in Perpignan.

Thursday will see the arrival of high-pressure winds in the north, lowering temperatures slightly and bringing rain to some areas.

The rain will pick up on Friday in the north, but in the south-west grey clouds are set to cover much of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, which may also bring rain.

Read more: ‘Face the reality’: France ‘must prepare’ for +4C global warming

High temperatures raise again drought fears in south

The change raises fears of another drought-ridden summer, especially in the south.

Plentiful rainfall in the final months of 2023 replenished water tables in the north, centre, and west of France, but they remain low in the south.

In the Pyrénées-Orientales department (where Perpignan is located), drought conditions have been permanently present since 2021, and a warm and the current relatively dry winter so far has only worsened conditions, with water tables now at critically low levels.

“Never since measurements began have soils been so dry at the end of January in the Pyrénées-Orientales,” said Météo France.

One particular sign of concern is the almost total lack of snowfall on the Pyrénées mountain peaks, even on some of the highest in the chain.

The melting of snow at the beginning of the spring helps to partially replenish local water tables, which are already dangerously low.

Related articles

Stop stigmatising us during droughts, say pool owners in France

What is France's 'drought' website VigiEau?