Wet south-east, dry north: France's reversed rainfall pattern March-May 2025

The recent spell of wet weather has inverted the normal weather pattern in France, with lots of rain in the south-east and little in the north.

Alpes-Maritimes and Var measured the heaviest rain in recent months, as precipitation exceeded the seasonal average by 64% and 63%. 

This exceptionally wet spell has contributed to local water reservoirs swelling, but it also raises concerns about flooding and the impact on agriculture.

In contrast, the north-east continues to face below-average rainfall. 

Hauts-de-France, already dry since early 2025, saw no relief in May, keeping the soil parched and crops under stress. 

This persistent deficit highlights the challenges farmers face in the north, from water shortages to reduced yields.

Meteorologists point to a shift in atmospheric patterns that have favoured rain-bearing systems settling over southern and eastern France, leaving northern zones under drier air masses. 

The result is a fragmented landscape of water abundance in some areas and scarcity in others.