Temperatures are expected to rise in France from Monday May 9. And this, with the arrival of the first heat wave of the summer.
The arrival of the #heat is confirmed for next week 🌡️ It will be moderate heat north of the Loire, but more marked and quite durable south of the Loire. Temperatures would be 3° to 5°C higher than average during the week 🥵 pic.twitter.com/zptb9uvkNO
— The Weather Channel (@lachainemeteo) May 3, 2022
The northern half of France is expected to experience temperatures above 25°C. While in the southern half they should reach 30°C for the first time this year. This, according to forecasts from the Weather Channel forecast service.
Paris could experience a heat of 29°C. While in the southwest temperatures can reach 35°C, with little wind.
This is caused by an anticyclone coming from the Azores, bringing with it warm subtropical air, and which will replace the North Sea anticyclone which currently dominates.
Can we speak of a heat wave period?
The Weather Channel meteorologist, Régis Crépet, described the episode as a heat wave, as temperatures will be 3 to 5°C higher than the average for this month throughout the territory and for more than three consecutive days.
“Depending on the region, temperatures will be up to 8°C higher than usual,” he said, adding that this weather is expected to last at least seven days.
“If the abnormal heat is more pronounced and lasts at night, we speak of a heat wave. In the meantime, if the episode is shorter or more localized, we speak of heat stroke”. Neither of these later situations are expected next week, which is why forecasters are calling it a heat wave.
The hottest days next week are expected to be Thursday and Friday. But in the southern half of France, the heat could last until next weekend.
Last year also saw early flares of higher than usual temperatures. Temperatures of 25°C were first observed in March in 2021. The month of May is often marked by hot periods. However, with temperatures reaching 30°C in Paris and 35°C in the south in 2011, 2017 and 2020.
Mr Crépet added that warm, fine weather is almost guaranteed south of the Loire, but around the English Channel there could be some clouds.
Heat wave may intensify dry conditions as wildfires break out
He also observed that the rainfall deficit has reached 60% north of the Seine and up to 80% in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur so far this year.
While temperatures remained mild, evaporation from vegetation remained moderate. But with the arrival of warm temperatures and the heat wave, evapotranspiration will increase. And the soil will dry out faster, which will make the situation worse.
“So we can reasonably worry about this situation, even if the summer has not even started yet. »
Firefighters were recently called to a wildfire. This one burned half a hectare of land near Fontainebleau.
Loan of 60 firefighters must be mobilized each time a fire breaks out. This is to protect the 22,000 hectares of natural landscapes around Fontainebleau.
🔥🌳 #LeSaviezVous 1 out of 2 fires is the result of carelessness: sometimes all it takes is a cigarette butt to start a fire!
To limit #ForestFires, stay vigilant and responsible.
Adopt the right reflexes.
☎️ Report any fire start to 18/112. pic.twitter.com/fRBtUJxpU4— Prefect of Seine-et-Marne 🇫🇷🇪🇺 (@Prefet77) April 27, 2022
This is just one example of several incidents. They have performed across the country so far this year, which has been the driest since 2011.
“Even when it rains, the vegetation is fairly well ventilated and the ground dries out very quickly,” Stéphane Rivoire of the Seine-et-Marne firefighters and rescuers told BFM Paris.
Heat and strict penalties
The local authorities would like to remind walkers in the area that it is forbidden to light a campfire. Or even to throw a cigarette butt in the forest.
Anyone breaking this rule is liable to a fine of €135.