December begins with fluctuating weather in France, influenced by low-pressure systems and the Azores high. The week will see rain, overcast skies, and rising temperatures, peaking at 20°C in Roussillon. A polar air mass is expected by Sunday, bringing colder conditions and potential snowfall. Rain will affect various regions, with frost likely in the northeast. Overall, a shift towards winter weather is anticipated, with significant temperature drops and increasing precipitation.
Overview of December Weather Patterns
The initial week of December signals the onset of meteorological winter, characterized by a tug-of-war between the low-pressure systems sweeping through northern Europe and the occasional influence of the Azores high, which occasionally extends its reach into France. As a result, expect a dynamic sky filled with alternating unsettling weather patterns and moments of tranquility, accompanied by fluctuating temperatures.
This seasonally transitional period is predicted to persist until the weekend, paving the way for a cold polar air mass that could bring chilly and potentially snowy conditions starting Sunday.
Temperature Variations and Weather Events
The first of several weak rain fronts will traverse the country this Monday, stretching from New Aquitaine to the Grand Est region. Behind this system, overcast skies will linger, bringing showers primarily along the English Channel coasts. The southeastern part of France should remain mostly dry, experiencing merely cloudy skies. Temperatures are on the rise, with no frost reported in the plains; maximum temperatures will range from 12 to 16°C in the west, and could reach up to 20°C in Roussillon.
On Tuesday, France finds itself caught between two weather disturbances. The rains from Monday will drift northeast, while new precipitation approaches Brittany, accompanied by a brisk south wind. In the gap between these systems, the weather will remain dry yet predominantly cloudy, with sunshine breaking through in the Mediterranean region, thanks to the mistral and tramontane winds gusting up to 80 km/h. Expect temperatures to dip again, with cool morning lows of 4 to 8°C in the northeast quarter, warming slightly in the afternoon.
Wednesday brings another wave of rain, primarily affecting the southwest and central regions of France. As the wind shifts to the northwest, strong gusts may hit northern Brittany late in the evening, reaching speeds of up to 100 km/h. This disturbance is likely to deliver some snowfall in Auvergne and the Pyrenees, while the eastern and Mediterranean regions enjoy clearer skies. Frost could also make an appearance early in the morning across northeastern borders to the Massif Central.
The series of disturbances continues into the weekend, with new rain expected in the west on Thursday, gradually moving eastward throughout the day. Southeastern regions will experience a mix of sunshine and wind, while morning frost becomes more common in the east. A slight warming trend is anticipated from the west in the afternoon, with temperatures reaching 14-15°C in Brittany.
On Friday, expect rainy conditions stretching from the Pyrenees to the Alps, with snow likely confined to higher altitudes. Alternating clouds and sunny spells will dominate the weather behind this front, while the Mediterranean will bask in sunshine. A warming trend will emerge, with minimum temperatures occasionally reaching double digits and maximums nearing 18°C in Roussillon.
This brief surge in temperatures will be short-lived, as the winds shift to a northern direction over the weekend, ushering in polar air that will drastically lower temperatures. By Sunday afternoon, maximums in the east could plummet to just 2 or 3°C. This shift in air mass will coincide with rain on Saturday, and snow in the mountains will fall at progressively lower altitudes. On Sunday, expect showers across much of the region, with the possibility of snowflakes reaching the plains. It seems winter is preparing to make its presence felt in France in the near future—stay tuned for updates!