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Up to 32°C in Montpellier: a powerful "heat dome" is raising the temperatures!

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The Editor

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For the past few days, we've been witnessing a drastic change in the sky. Not only have the clouds that weighed us down for weeks disappeared, but the thermostat has also jumped exceptionally high, and it will hover around 30°C in the coming days. So, what explains this phenomenon?

It’s quite a surprising phenomenon that has taken hold of part of France since this Thursday, May 21. Indeed, over the weekend, we are witnessing a rise in temperatures across the continent, exceeding the seasonal norms by 10 to 15°. And let me tell you, with the Saints of Ice in sight, it’s quite funny to dig out the sandals, shorts, and caps. However, this weather change can be explained quite rationally.


A wind straight from the south

Once again, as is often the case when it comes to weather, it all boils down to a question of wind. Indeed, a warm air flow from Morocco is currently over France. Just like that, this...the heat wave gets trapped under the high pressures of a powerful anticyclone. We don’t really understand all these technical terms either, but the bottom line is that these phenomena lead to the creation of a « heat dome », resulting in a sharp rise in temperatures over the next few days. Basically, the anticyclone acts like the lid of a pot, trapping the warm air and causing the temperature to soar, resulting in weather records across the country.


A Weekend of Beautiful Weather

Over in Montpellier, the thermometer is set to hover around 30°C, and this delightful weather will last until the end of next week. To make sure our enjoyment isn't spoiled, not a single cloud will disrupt this exceptional weather, giving us a nice preview of summer and especially allowing us to dry off after weeks of relentless rain. Plus, it's a great training session for the future, since experts agree: with climate change, these heatwaves are likely to become more and more frequent in the coming years.