French weekend weather forecast March 21 - 22: calm but cold front in south-east
Rain and snow will pepper Alps on Sunday as temperatures drop but sunny weekend elsewhere
Most areas will remain sunny throughout the weekend, particularly in the west and north. Photo shows a sunny day in Bordeaux
RossHelen/Shutterstock
A mostly calm weekend of weather is in store for France, although the south-east will see rain and some snow at high altitudes.
Temperatures at the start of the weekend will remain consistent with the week to date, although a drop on Sunday is expected in the south-east as a cold front moves in.
Friday March 20
March 20 is the spring equinox and the start of spring in the astronomical calendar, although for weather forecasters spring begins on March 1.
Fittingly, the weather is calm for the switch, with clear skies throughout. Slight wispy winds along the Loire are possible but will pass quickly, and elsewhere ample sunshine is expected.
The south-west and Mediterranean can expect up to 10 hours of sunshine and areas of Normandy, Brittany, and even near the German border can expect around nine hours.
Temperatures will remain at levels seen throughout the week, 15C - 16C for most of the country and rising 18C - 20C in the south-west.
Saturday March 21
Similar conditions will persist in the south-west, north, and centre of the country, with plenty of sunshine and clear skies.
In the east however, cloudy skies may bring rain anywhere from the Alps to the north-east and border with Germany.
Rain will not fall with force but, along with clouds and wind, may dampen outdoor activities.
Temperatures will hover around 13C - 15C in the north, rising to 17C in the south-west.
It may be surprising, but this is actually slightly below seasonal averages, however a mild winter with temperatures consistently above average have warped perceptions on what temperatures in late March should feel like.
Sunday March 22
A cold front will sweep into France from the south-west, bringing rain and cloudy skies.
Rain will reach as far inland as Vichy and as west as Perpignan, with cloud coverage potentially reaching Toulouse and Strasbourg.
Snow is forecast at 1,200m and higher across the Alps and eastern Massif Central.
Outside of this disturbance, calm, clear conditions will remain although thin clouds will pass through most regions.
Temperatures will drop due to the cold front, with highs of 13C - 14C in the north, up to 15C in the south-west, and around 10C - 11C in the south-east.
Early forecasts for next week show the cold front quickly moving away leading to a peaceful, if cloudy, start to the week in France.
Rain is expected to sweep in from the north and cover the majority of the country mid-week.
