News: The September 2023 heatwave in France – A historic heat record
After an exceptionally hot summer, France has just experienced the hottest month of September ever recorded in its history. According to Météo-France, temperatures were on average 3.6°C above seasonal norms, with an average temperature of 21.5°C.
This heat record is part of an alarming trend, with 20 consecutive months above seasonal norms. This situation demonstrates the deeply structural nature of the climate change we are facing.
The month of September began with an exceptional late heatwave, followed by a sequence of intense heat from September 3 to 11, where temperatures regularly exceeded 35-37°C in certain regions of France.
This meteorological phenomenon is partly explained by a rise of hot air from the Sahara, combined with the effects of climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions. Climate models had already predicted an increase in heat waves in spring and September, and these predictions unfortunately turned out to be correct.
It is important to emphasize that this rise in temperatures is more pronounced in Europe than globally. While the global climate is around 1.2°C warmer than before the industrial era, it is estimated that France has experienced a temperature increase of around 1.8°C.
This heatwave of September 2023 is not an isolated case. It is part of a global trend where heat records are broken year after year. The summer of 2023 has also been ranked as the fourth hottest summer in France, and many heat records for the month of October are also in danger of being broken.
It is urgent to act in the face of this relentless mechanism of global warming. The consequences of this phenomenon are already visible, with more frequent heat waves and ever higher temperatures. It is essential to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and take steps to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The September 2023 heatwave in France is an alarming reminder of the climate emergency we face. It is essential to take immediate action to combat global warming and preserve our planet for future generations.