Published
Video length: 2 min
Bad weather: an “atmospheric river” sweeps across France
Bad weather: an “atmospheric river” sweeps across France
(FRANCEINFO)
In just 24 hours, the equivalent of a month of rain fell in Mouroux, in Seine-et-Marne, Thursday September 26. Several departments are affected by heavy precipitation due to an “atmospheric river”, a phenomenon favored by climate change.
A tornado formed in Côte-d’Or, while in Aisne, residents found themselves with their feet in the water. In Seine-et-Marne, rivers are overflowing or reaching high levels, as in Haute-Savoie, Thursday September 26 afternoon. In 24 hours, the equivalent of a month of rain fell in Mouroux (Seine-et-Marne) and three weeks in Ambérieu-en-Bugey (Ain).
The precipitation is caused by an “atmospheric river”, a phenomenon that forms in the tropics. Large amounts of moisture are transported by depressions over the Atlantic Ocean and strengthen as they travel. In recent years, these atmospheric rivers have intensified due to climate change. “One degree of warming leads to 7% more humidity in the atmosphere”explains Christophe Cassou, climatologist and research director at CNRS. Very heavy rain is also expected on Friday September 27.
Watch the full report in the video above.