Climate: France had its hottest September on record
Météo France announced on this Friday that September 2023 is the hottest September ever recorded in metropolitan France, with an average temperature well above normal. This comes after an exceptionally hot summer, ranking as the 4th hottest summer since 1900 when climate measurements began.
According to this French institution, the average temperature in the country for September 2023 was 21.5°C, with an average increase of 3.6°C above the seasonal norms recorded between 1991 and 2020.
Only two months have ended with such a significant temperature anomaly: February 1990, with a +4.0°C anomaly, and August 2003, with a +3.7°C anomaly.
September 1949 had a +2.7°C anomaly, and September 1961 had a +2.4°C anomaly, as explained by the meteorological institute.
This late heatwave occurred from September 3rd to September 11th, according to Météo France, and was unprecedented, with temperatures 4 to 6°C above the seasonal norms across almost all of France.
In fact, the institute issued an orange heatwave alert for 14 departments on September 7th, marking the first time this has happened after the summer season since the implementation of the heatwave alert plan in 2004.
A climatologist stated, «This September is very unique, and these heat anomalies are glaring in all regions».
Pedro Okalamar
