2022 is the hottest year in France – Liberation breaks the record

No wonder just last year was the hottest year ever recorded in France. On Friday, Meteo France announced that the average across the country was 14.5°C. “2022 beats the previous record by 0.4°C, a big leap” Christine Bern, climatologist at Météo France, points out that we have not seen it before. Thus, 2022 polls 2020, the record holder so far (14.07 ° C). As for 2018, it is in third place (13.9°C). The warming trend continues in France. “Since 2014, all years except 2021 and 2016 have been above normal” Christine Bern says.

Since the end of November, Météo France has announced that 2022 will be at the top of the podium and how important the temperature is in December. The meteorological institute claims that the average temperature in the area is between 14.2 °C (cold December scenario) and 14.6 °C (warm December scenario). The result is ultimately closer to the second scenario. After a cold spell until mid-December, temperatures finally returned strongly, dominating the month with 0.6°C above normal. This led to an increase in the national average for the year. Finally, all months of 2022 were anomalously warm except for January and April. Christine Bern adds this “The year was the sunniest year in the northern hemisphere since records began,” especially with very unusual notes in Paris, Nancy or Brest.

“2022 is a landmark year for climate change,” he continues. She wasn’t just hot, she ticked all the extreme event boxes. Terrible fires in Gironde (Landiras, La Teste-de-Buch, Saumos), sea heat waves in the Mediterranean, late frosts in early April, tornadoes in the Hauts-de-France, floods in the southwest, brutal and deadly storms in Corsica, floods in Guadeloupe, Cyclones in Guyana and New Caledonia…

Collection of records

2022 was remarkably warm despite the influence of La Nina, a climate phenomenon believed to have cooled global temperatures. In France, the heat was early and long-lasting, the first hot episode occurred in May. Combined with a 23% lack of precipitation for the year (25% was worse in 1989 alone), this prompted a historic drought. The outbreak reached its peak this summer with three heat waves (most notably in June, which reached 40°C for the first time that month). According to Météo France, the heat between the beginning of May and the end of August has increased 500 times due to climate change.

But the concern didn’t stop there: after a late and unprecedented warm episode at the end of October, the year ended with temperatures worthy of June. France experienced the second warmest Christmas in its history. The last day of 2022 was even stronger, 18.6°C in Strasbourg, 18°C ​​in Rennes, 20°C in Marseille… December 31 was the most anomalously warm of 2022 with a temperature of 8.3°C. exceeds seasonal norms.

“The collection of these records is fully consistent with the trend of global warming. There have always been exceptional events and summits in the past, but this is happening again, especially this year 2022.” was recalled at the end of December He was released François Gourand, meteorologist at Meteo France.

Higher than average warming

“We should not allow ourselves to be calmed by the mildness of winter. “We need to be aware and think about heat waves, excess mortality, fires… These are the real consequences of this hottest year.” Christine Bern insists. This year, exceptional in the current climate, may become the norm in 2050. In this not-so-distant horizon, according to a recent study by researchers from CNRS and Météo France, France could be 1.8°C (under scenario) too hot. strong greenhouse gas reductions) to 3.6°C compared to pre-industrial times (strong emissions growth scenario). Warming in France is already around +1.7°C, which is higher than the global average of +1.2°C.

in Europe, Recalls the latest report of the IPCCThe four main risks of global warming are increased human mortality and changes in ecosystems due to heat, reduced agricultural production due to drought, water shortages and floods, and rising sea levels. There are many challenges facing France this year.