the first half of July was the driest since at least 1959

In addition to the heat wave, the rain is rare. The first half of July 2022 was the driest since at least 1959, when the surveys began, notes François Jobard, meteorologist at Météo France, Saturday July 16. On Twitter, this specialist notes that during these 15 days it fell on average only 1.8 mm of rain in France, against 5.1 mm in 2015 or 28 mm in 1976.

I received the order, in a dream of course, to write a song to bring the rain. The driest first half of July since at least 1959. Ahead of the first half of July 2015 (5.1 mm). Much drier than in 1976 (1.8 mm in 2022, 28 mm in 1976). #drought pic.twitter.com/wBlkA0V5AY

— Francois Jobard (@Francois_Jobard) July 16, 2022

Much of France is facing drought. To respond to the concerns of producers, who fear a bad year for harvests, the Minister of Agriculture, Marc Fesneau, organized a national agricultural drought committee. In addition, 72 French departments have implemented water restrictions.