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WEATHER

June 2023 was one of France’s hottest and stormiest on record

June 2023 was one of the hottest, sunniest - and stormiest - on record in France, with forecasters predicting more hot and unsettled weather across the rest of the summer.

June 2023 was one of France's hottest and stormiest on record
Storm clouds and lightning over Notre-Dame Cathedral in Strasbourg, on June 22, 2023. (Photo by PATRICK HERTZOG / AFP)

In fact, June 2023 has been something of a weather paradox, the experts have said. It’s expected temperatures will be, on average, 2.5C higher than seasonal norms, but without any heatwaves.

Only June 2003 – the start of a deadly summer in which 15,000 excess deaths linked to heat were recorded – has been, on average, warmer than 2023, national forecaster Météo France said as it released its collated figures for the month.

The heat was particularly marked over a large part of the northern half of the country, while thunderstorms followed one another in the south. 

“Temperatures, both minimum and maximum, remained very mild across France throughout the month, although the country did not experience a real heatwave,” Météo France said. “For France as a whole and for the month as a whole, the average temperature, at over 21C, is expected to be more than 2.5C above normal.”

The amount of sunshine has also broken records for the period 1991-2023 – with Brittany, Pays-de-la-Loire and northern and northeastern areas seeing up to 50 percent more sun than normal.

Sunshine levels were around normal in the southern half of the country, and even lower than average in the south of Nouvelle Aquitaine, across to to the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region and Corsica.

The past month was also remarkable for its thunderstorm activity.

“June 2023 is already the second most lightning-struck June over the 1997-2023 period, behind June 2022, with twice as many lightning strikes as the average up to June 28,” Météo France said.

Rainfall levels, meanwhile, are “close to normal” across the country, the forecaster said – though “this conceals a highly contrasting situation from one region to another”.

Rainfall totals were well below normal in Hauts-de-France, Brittany and Alsace – where sunshine was well above average, while beating seasonal norms further south.

Globally average temperatures in early June were the hottest ever recorded for this period by the European Copernicus service. Figures for the second half of the month have yet to be published.

The most likely scenario is for warmer-than-normal conditions across France in July, August and September, and wetter-than-normal conditions in the south, from the Pyrenees to the Mediterranean basin, Météo France predicted in its longer-term forecast. 

It added, however, that “wetter than normal” in the Mediterranean arc does not necessarily equate to large amounts of rain because the area is habitually very dry in the summer.

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PARIS 2024 OLYMPICS

How hot will it be in Paris during the Olympics?

A recent report has warned of the dangers of extreme heat for athletes - but what should spectators expect if they are in Paris for the Olympics or Paralympics?

How hot will it be in Paris during the Olympics?

The report labelled Rings of Fire – a collaboration between non-profit Climate Central, academics at Britain’s University of Portsmouth and 11 Olympians – warned that “intense heat at the Paris Olympics in July-August 2024 could lead to competitors collapsing and in worst case scenarios dying during the Games.”

Closer examination, however, reveals that the warning is based on previous heatwave scenarios in Paris, rather than any specific predictions for this summer.

Still, Paris can get pretty hot – so what should Olympics visitors expect this summer?

Seasonal norms

Held between July 26th and August 11th (Olympics) and August 28th and September 8th (Paralympics), there’s no doubt that the Games fall into the hottest part of the French summer.

Average temperatures in Paris for July and August are between 16C and 26C, falling slightly in September to 13C/22C. 

However, when the city is in the grip of a canicule (heatwave) temperatures can rise significantly – the highest temperature ever recorded in Paris was during a heatwave in July 2019 – it was 42.6C.

During a heatwave it’s not uncommon for temperatures to be in the high 30s and to sometimes hit 40C.

Heatwaves usually don’t last long – they are officially defined as days with hot temperatures which also see little fall in the temperature at night (the ‘tropical night’ effect) and it’s rare to have more than five consecutive days like this.

One extra thing to take into account is the ‘heat sink’ effect – the effect that makes cities hotter than the surrounding areas. This happens to an extent in all cities as the cumulative heat exuded from people, vehicles and machinery (especially air-conditioning units) raises the temperature.

It is especially pronounced in Paris, however, due to the geography which traps the heat and the fact that Paris is a city with very little green space – during a heatwave the city can be up to 10C hotter than the surrounding countryside.

Forecast for summer 2024 

The especially annoying thing about heatwaves is that weather forecasters can only predict them about a week in advance, so at present we have no way of knowing whether the weather will be normally warm or insanely hot during the Games period.

French weather forecaster Météo France has predicted hotter-than-average temperatures over the whole of the summer, but cannot predict individual weeks this far in advance.

So far the year has been unusually rainy with cooler than normal temperatures, although the sunshine has returned this week. 

So how should Games visitors prepare?

If you’re attending events within the city, be aware that not all the stands have shade so you should prepare for your event by using a high-factor sunscreen (factor 50 preferably) and take a hat that provides shade for your face and the back of your neck. Stay hydrated.

Loose-fitting, roomy clothing made from natural fibres (eg cotton or linen) will be the most comfortable.

Other than that – keep an eye on weather forecasts and warnings.

If a heatwave is predicted, weather warnings (ranging from yellow ‘be prepared’ to red ‘possible danger to life’) will be issued, along with advice on keeping yourself safe.

The city will also activate its heatwave plan if temperatures soar – this includes setting up brumisateurs (machines providing cooled water vapour) and showing a map of ‘cool rooms’ within the city. There are also provisions in place for elderly or ill people who are more vulnerable to high temperatures.

Even outside a heatwave period Paris has a network of drinking water fountains to enable you to stay hydrated.

Take the warnings seriously – every year people die due to heatwaves

READ ALSO The French government advice for staying cool in a heatwave

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