French weekly weather forecast March 16-20: spring sunshine after cloudy start

France will see a mostly dry and increasingly mild week after a cloudy and unsettled Monday, with sunshine returning across most of the country from Tuesday under strengthening high pressure.

Temperatures will remain slightly above seasonal averages in the afternoons, although mornings will stay cool with occasional light frosts inland.

Monday: cloudy and unsettled

Monday begins under thick cloud across much of the country as a weak Atlantic disturbance moves from Aquitaine towards Alsace.

Light rain or drizzle is expected in most areas, although scattered showers may develop through the afternoon across parts of the north-east, Normandy and central regions.

Higher ground in the Vosges could briefly see snow above around 900-1,000 metres.

Conditions are brighter in the south-east, where sunshine dominates around the Mediterranean, although the mistral and tramontane winds continue to blow, with gusts reaching 60-80km/h.

Morning temperatures are cold in eastern inland areas, where readings may fall to between −3C and 0C with local frost. Elsewhere, temperatures range from 1C to 6C.

Afternoon highs reach 10C to 13C in the north-east, rising to 12C-17C further west and up to 18C-21C near the Mediterranean and in Corsica.

Tuesday: return of sunshine

High pressure begins to dominate from Tuesday, bringing calmer and largely sunny conditions to most of France.

Some early morning mist or fog is possible in valleys such as the Saône and Garonne, but this should clear quickly to leave widespread sunshine.

The mistral may still blow in the morning but is expected to weaken later in the day.

Temperatures remain chilly at sunrise, often between -1C and 3C inland, although coastal areas stay milder at around 6C-10C.

By afternoon, conditions feel more spring-like with highs of 15C-17C in northern and eastern regions and 16C-20C across much of the rest of the country. Parts of south-west France could briefly reach 22C or 23C.

Wednesday and Thursday: the best days of the week

Wednesday and Thursday are expected to be the most settled days nationwide.

Some three quarters of France should see sunshine, although low cloud may linger in parts of the Rhône valley early on Wednesday.

Cloudier conditions are more likely in the south-east and Corsica, where weak disturbances moving through the Mediterranean could bring occasional light rain.

Winds will increase in some areas. An easterly flow may strengthen across northern regions, while the south-easterly autan wind develops in south-western areas and the Lauragais, where gusts could reach around 80-90km/h.

Afternoon temperatures remain mild, generally between 16C and 20C nationwide.

Friday: clouds returning

Friday, the first official day of spring, may become more mixed as the high-pressure system weakens and shifts towards Scandinavia.

Cloud will spread from the north and east, and scattered showers may develop during the afternoon, particularly near the Mediterranean.

Morning frost remains possible in eastern regions, although most coastal areas will start the day milder with temperatures between 3C and 9C.

Afternoon temperatures should reach around 17C in the north and east and up to 18C-21C along the Atlantic coast and in southern regions.