French weekly weather forecast January 12 - 16: warmer but rain returns

Temperatures across France are set to increase this week following successive cold periods, reaching above seasonal averages. 

Rain is expected on several days, with heavy downpours in the south-east and north-west in particular. 

Monday January 12 

Despite a chilly start on Monday morning – with frost present in many areas – warmer temperatures are already on their way. 

Highs of 7C in the east, 10C - 12C across much of France, and up to 16C in the south-west mean that national average temperatures for the day will reach around 7.1C, around 1C warmer than usual for the middle of January. 

Between Sunday and Monday, temperatures will increase by 5C - 7C in many areas.

National average temperatures will continue to rise throughout the week, reaching a peak on Thursday. 

On Monday however, the warmer weather is particularly humid and will bring rain to most areas north of the Loire, including Brittany. 

In the south, partially sunny skies are forecast and the areas should avoid any rain. 

Tuesday January 13 

Rainfall will continue near the English Channel, with cloudy skies across much of the north and the risk of light showers throughout. 

In the south, skies remain cloudy but temperatures may rise further, reaching up to 14C/15C in the Mediterranean. 

In the Pyrénées foothills, temperatures of 18C and above are possible due to the foehn effect. 

In the north, temperatures will remain similar but they will rise in the east by 1C or 2C, with the latter also benefitting from plenty of sunshine. 

Wednesday January 14 

Rainclouds will move in from the south-west and move north-east until they reach the German border. 

This will bring frequent showers across the area, with the north and Mediterranean seeing dry, if slightly cloudy, weather in contrast to the rainbelt.

Temperatures will drop by 1C to 2C compared to Tuesday, but remain above average. 

Thursday January 15 

Two separate weather patterns will bring sustained rainfall to opposite ends of France at the end of the week. 

Early on Thursday, rain along the English Channel will begin and last throughout the day. 

It will cover most of the Brittany peninsula, particularly around Rennes, with the brunt of the week’s rainfall in the area falling on Thursday morning. Weather and flooding alerts may be raised closer to the day for the region.

In the evening, unsettled Mediterranean skies will cause rainfall in the south-east, moving inland to Provence. 

Overnight, both patterns will move inland to cover much of France, with rain forecast in essentially all areas. 

Friday January 16 

Rain will remain in place above much of France, although Normandy and Hauts-de-France are likely to remain dry. 

Both the south-east and south-west are set to see long-lasting rainfall, and snow may fall in the Pyrénées at 1,000m - 1,200m. 

Temperatures will range from 8C to 10C in the north, to 12C to 13C in the south - this is above average despite the rain. 

Early forecasts for the weekend see rain persist in the south-east, although elsewhere it will be gradually replaced by sunny skies.