The figure is still provisional but it would constitute a national record for the month of October. During the “peak intensity” of exceptional heat for the month of October on this Monday, “the hottest day in the sequence”, Météo-France recorded 35.7 degrees in Orthez (Pyrénées-Atlantiques). Unprecedented values for October were also recorded in Biscarrosse (Landes), with 34.5 degrees, Clermont-Ferrand (32.8 degrees), Châteauroux (31.8 degrees), or Poitiers (32 degrees).
“Tuesday will mark the end of this exceptionally late heat episode, before temperatures rise in the days that follow,” assured Tristan Amm, Météo-France forecaster.
Stop the proliferation of epizootic hemorrhagic disease
In the Hautes-Pyrénées, the sanctuary of Lourdes, a place of pilgrimage which welcomes many sick people and people with fragile health, organized indoor celebrations. “When it’s hot, we increase our vigilance. The heatwave plan is applied as a precaution, because the visitors we receive are vulnerable and sensitive to heat,” indicates David Torchala, director of communications for the sanctuary.
In the same department, the vice-president of the Chamber of Agriculture Christian Fourcade hopes for an episode of cold in the short term to stop the proliferation of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EMD), which affects cattle in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques and of the Hautes-Pyrénées. “As long as we have these high temperatures, the mosquitoes or midges that inoculate MHE will reproduce, and the disease will develop. MHE is the avian flu of cattle,” he warns.
The positive point for agriculture, he adds, is that the heat reduces the humidity level at corn and soy harvest time, which allows farmers to save on costs. drying.
“This kind of episode is indicative of a warming climate”
In Tarbes, where Météo-France recorded 32.8 degrees, Marie, an octogenarian, takes part in a quiz in an air-conditioned room at the Cité des Roses residence for seniors. “On my balcony, I was 32 this afternoon. I can’t wait for it to be over. We cannot enjoy these beautiful days at the beginning of autumn,” she regrets. On the banks of the Garonne in Toulouse, students were basking in the sun, sometimes in swimsuits.
“This kind of episode is indicative of a warming climate, at least in line with global warming. Such episodes will be more and more likely in the years to come, whether late in autumn or early in spring,” specifies the Météo-France forecaster.
According to the meteorologist, this Monday, October 2 could be “the hottest day ever recorded during the month of October nationally”, the place currently occupied by October 3, 1985.
Towards “an equally impressive weekend”
On Tuesday, a disturbance is expected to bring precipitation to the Northeast, and clouds to most other regions, which will result in a drop in highs of 10 degrees in places, closer to seasonal temperatures. From Wednesday, a new episode of heat is expected and “we could end up with a weekend just as impressive as the one we have just experienced”, adds Tristan Amm.
These exceptional temperatures come in the wake of a record September, the hottest on record, continuing a streak of almost two years above seasonal norms.