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WEATHER

France braces for rain and storms over long Easter weekend

The weather in France is forecast to be unsettled over the holiday period, with the south-east of the country, in particular, set for severe storms.

France braces for rain and storms over long Easter weekend
(Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP)

According to Météo France, rainy spell after rainy spell will be the norm over the Easter weekend across most of the country, with little sight of clear, blue skies, while an “épisode méditerranéen” is expected in the south-east of the country.

A low-pressure area brought high winds to parts of France on Good Friday, with two départements in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region – Loire and Rhône – on orange weather alert at 12noon.

Wind gusts of up to 110km/h are expected in exposed areas, according to Météo-France.

It’s all relative, but the best of what’s set to be a pretty poor weekend of weather is expected on Saturday. Rain and storms will dominate all day from the Grand Est to the Mediterranean regions – except around the Pyrenees and in Corsica, both of which should enjoy blue skies for most of the day. Strong winds could cause problems in eastern areas, and rain is forecast overnight in the south-east.

On Easter Sunday, widespread rain is forecast, with the south-east of the country braced for stormy conditions, bringing – according to some forecast models – up to three months’ rainfall in just 48 hours.

By early afternoon, showers will be widespread across the whole of the country, while winds are expected to reach 80km/h along the Rhône. Snow will fall on the Pyrenees and the Alps.

Temperatures will range from 11C to 15C in most regions, rising to around 20C in Corsica.

Easter Monday, meanwhile, is forecast to be rainy across almost all of France, with only the Pyrenees regions seeing any sunshine. After Sunday, however, it is likely to be regarded as an improvement.

Unsettled conditions are then expected to last until Wednesday, before temperatures start to rise heading into the first weekend of schools’ staggered Spring holiday period – though the skies are likely to remain grey.

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WEATHER

Will we see the sun in France over May’s Ascension holiday week?

As people in France prepare to enjoy the two consecutive bank holidays, warmer temperatures are finally in sight. Here is what to expect in terms of weather for the 'pont de l'Ascension' week in France.

Will we see the sun in France over May's Ascension holiday week?

Forecasters in France expect warmer, sunnier weather for the days ahead, after several weeks of clouds and cold temperatures.

Unfortunately, in order to enjoy the sun you’ll have to wait through a few more days of rain. Here is what to expect for the rest of the week and the long weekend;

Monday

Rain is the dominating weather characteristic of the day, especially over Occitanie, PACA, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Burgundy-Franche-Comté and the Grand-Est. Over in the west, skies will be mostly cloudy, and residents in Brittany and Normandy can expect storms later in the day, which could spread into parts of Centre-Val de Loire.

Where it’s not raining, it will be mostly cloudy, with temperatures expected to rise to between 14C to 18C across most of the country, but could reach 21C on the Mediterranean coast and 26C in western Corsica.

Tuesday

More rain. With the exception of the far west of the country, which will get a preview of conditions to come as Tuesday goes on, rain is the weather order of the day, with storms predicted in southern areas from mid-afternoon and into the evening. 

Maximum temperatures are expected to range from 14C to 19C in the north of France, and from 11C to 20C in the southern half.

Wednesday May 8th – Public holiday for Victory in Europe day

The long public holiday weekend arrives, along with the sun. Other than in the far north early on, expect sunshine and mostly blue skies – though occasionally stormy showers may develop in the southeast later on. 

Temperatures of between 17C and 20C are forecast in the northern half of the country, and between 18C and 21C further south.

The map below from Météo France gives a better idea of the weather across France on Wednesday afternoon.

Weather forecast for France on Wednesday May 8th. Météo France

Thursday – Public holiday for Ascension

Mild. Dry. Sunny. Your three-word forecast for Thursday. There may be a few clouds in northern France, but the south is wall-to-wall sunshine for most of the day. Isolated storms may develop in the southern Alps late in the day.

Temperatures of between 18C and 20C are forecast in the northern half of the country, and between 19C and 24C further south.

Friday – Pont de l’Ascension – Day off for many with schools closed in France

Overcast conditions return in the northern half of the country on Friday, to remind everyone that it’s not quite summer yet, but the skies remain clear in the south, with temperatures expected to climb past 25C in the southwest of the country.

Weekend

Other than a few thunderstorms in the south of the country, expect dry, warm, sunny weather across the whole of France over the weekend, with early summer temperatures reaching into the upper 20s celsius to match.

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