Summary
In recent days, as you dug out your coat and scarf, the chill in the air certainly commanded attention, reminiscent of the approaching winter. The temperatures have dipped into a decidedly autumnal range, with snow encapsulating the peaks of the Alps at 1,500 meters, while higher altitudes in the Pyrenees bask in white at 2,000 meters, and similar scenes unfold across the Jura, Vosges, and Auvergne. On September 12, Thursday afternoon, daytime highs were languishing between 5 and 7°C below the average for this time of year, with Friday promising to be the coldest day of the week in France—a notable phenomenon, as Météo-France pointed out, marking a drastic 5°C deficit well before mid-September. Despite these frosty conditions, the meteorological office is hesitant to stamp the term “cold wave” on this weather pattern. One might be tempted to think that stepping outside warrants such a label, yet Météo-France clarifies that official terminology demands a bit more rigor. A cold wave, they remind us, requires that the national average temperature dips below -2°C at least once and stubbornly stays under 0.9°C for more than two days. A cold wave officially concludes when temperatures climb past 2.2°C. Thus, while the fresh air asserts itself with vigor this early September, invoking visions of wintry landscapes feels somewhat out of alignment. On Thursday, for instance, temperatures on the northern half of the country were pleasantly lingering between 13 and 18°C, while the south basked in slightly warmer numbers of 15 to 20°C, even peaking at 24-26°C along the Mediterranean coastline. With an expected national thermal index hovering around 12.5°C at its lowest this week, one can see that while cooler than the norm, we stand far from a legitimate cold wave. The phenomenon is rooted in a swath of cold air drifting down from Northern Europe, intensified by a North Sea depression. Météo-France elaborates, stating that true cold waves can stretch over three days, affecting vast swathes of the nation. An occurrence can even manifest regionally, lasting at least two days with temperatures falling well below the local averages. While the current coolness in September echoes similar occurrences from recent years—such as in September 2020 or 2017—these sharp drops are not especially rare. Interestingly, this year’s strange bout of temperature decline does not clash with the broader narrative of climate change. Météo-France gracefully weaves the tale of nature’s ebbs and flows, explaining that fluctuations from year to year are woven into the fabric of our climate, even as such chillier periods become less frequent and less intense over time. So, while one cannot claim the French countryside is enveloped in a genuine cold wave, the season’s chill offers a glimpse into the stark contrasts of weather—inviting you to wrap yourself warmly as you revel in the plight of summer slipping away, making room for what’s next in the seasonal dance.
Original Source: www.bfmtv.com
