France seems to be grappling with extreme and worrying climatic phenomena in this year 2024. Recent data from Fatshimetrie reveal that not only is the country facing one of the hottest years in its history, but also one of the wettest.
According to the information provided by this meteorological observatory, the average temperature in 2024 fluctuates between 14°C and 14.1°C, which could place this year in third or fourth place in the annals since 1900. A figure that testifies to the impact of climate change, since we note that 9 of the 10 hottest years in France occurred after 2010.
This global warming is accompanied by significant consequences on French territory. Extreme heat episodes are increasing, with an average of 13 days of heat wave per year over the last decade, compared to only 2 in the years 1961-1990. At the same time, the number of cold spell days is decreasing drastically.
But beyond the heat, it is the excess precipitation that marks the year 2024. With a surplus of 15% compared to normal, France is recording one of the wettest years since 1959. These heavy rains caused devastating floods and damage to crops, particularly in the wine and cereal sectors.
The regions suffered major floods from the beginning of the year, and the following months were also marked by abundant precipitation, as in September with torrential floods in Isère. In October, the record Cévennes episode in Ardèche and the floods caused by storm Kirk in Ile-de-France illustrate the vulnerability of the territory to these extreme weather events.
This dual trend, both towards high temperatures and abundant precipitation, raises questions about the future of France in the face of climate change. Projections indicate an increase in precipitation in winter and a decrease in summer, which could have repercussions on agriculture and flood risk management.
In short, 2024 is shaping up to be a wake-up call for France, highlighting the need to adapt to the climate challenges that are looming on the horizon. It is imperative to take measures to limit the effects of global warming and protect populations and ecosystems from these increasingly frequent and intense extreme weather events.