The recent heat wave in France is “not comparable” to 2003, except in the Southwest

In Toulouse and Bordeaux in particular, the maximum temperatures were on average one to two degrees higher than in 2003. Similarly,

A first weather assessment on the stifling sequence experienced in France. recent heat wave france “not The recent heat wave in France. from August 8 to 18, is at the country level “Comparable neither in intensity nor in severity with the historic heat wave of August 2003”except in the southwest, the meteorological agency announced on Wednesday August 20. This last scorching episode dated is “The second longest heat wave for a month in August after the heat. wave of August 2003 which had lasted sixteen days”also specified the national forecastist.

Locally, in some cities, the maximum temperatures were still on average one to two degrees higher in 2003. Météo-France gives the examples of Carcassonne, Cognac, Toulouse and Bordeaux. While in Strasbourg and Paris, they were three to four fresher degrees.

The 40 ° C threshold has also been crossed several times in the south of the country. “Sometimes two consecutive days” As in Toulouse, Argentat, or Agen. On the network of 120 Météo-France stations, 40 recent heat wave france “not ° C were reached or exceeded 32 times in August by 20 stations. In 2003, he was 87 times by 28 stations. The tropical nights. where the temperature was not descended under the 20 ° C, have also multiplied, especially in Nice, Sète or Perpignan, where they went on for 11 days, or during this scorching episode.

Since the 19th century, the average temperature of the earth heated 1.1 ° C. Scientists have established with certainty that this increase is due to human activities. consumers of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas). This warming, unprecedented by its speed, threatens the future of our societies and biodiversity. But solutions – renewable energies, sobriety, decrease in meat consumption – exist. Discover our answers to your questions on the climate crisis.