What is the difference between weather and climate? Far from being synonymous, these terms designate very different phenomena. “The weather corresponds to the weather from day to day,” summarizes Myriam Topa, forecaster for Météo-France Bordeaux-Aquitaine. “Climate is based on much longer time scales. When we say that the climate is changing, we are talking about average temperatures throughout the year, which are higher. If there is an episode of extreme cold this winter, and it's minus 10 degrees everywhere, that doesn't change anything. »
While waiting for this possible scenario, autumn seems particularly mild in Lot-et-Garonne. However, in October, temperatures were certainly above seasonal norms, but not “significantly”, explains Myriam Topa. “October averages for a full day are around 16 degrees; in 2024, we will exceed them by one degree. For maximums, the averages are 20 degrees; we are very close to it. We are higher on the minimum temperatures: usually, they are between 10 and 12 degrees, we are on average 2 degrees more this year. »
On October 17, the department experienced a significant episode of rain.
Jérôme Jamet / South West
It is still too early to talk about November, specifies the meteorologist. Nonetheless, the first weekend's maximum temperatures were four to five degrees above average.
73 mm of water in twenty-four hours
The most remarkable data concerns precipitation. “Lot-et-Garonne had 1.7 times more,” figures the forecaster. “We had 100 to 120 mm of rain, spread over around ten days. While the average is 66 mm for October. » The stormy and rainy episode of the 17th, for which Lot-et-Garonne was placed on orange alert, contributed to this. According to records from the public establishment, 55 mm fell in Agen in twenty-four hours, 44.7 in Villeneuve and 73 in Prayssas, which received the prize of 47.
Can we link this data to climate change? In general, and not specifically in Lot-et-Garonne, “we can expect to experience autumns, and any other season, with higher temperatures,” explains the meteorologist. “As a result, precipitation events can be stronger, because when the atmosphere warms, it can store more water. » So it rains in greater quantities. A pattern which is “one of the effects of climate change”.
Regular newsletters
Among her missions, the Météo-France employee advises. In the 47, its main clients are the Department, the SCNF and highway managers. These last two are the most important. “Every day, we send them bulletins at regular times to inform them of the weather situation and its evolution,” explains Myriam Topa. They can also call us. They do this especially when there are potentially dangerous episodes. The highway is very sensitive to snow, for example. If we anticipate a risk of falls, we know that [les gestionnaires] will call us because they need to know if they should salt the road, and where. »
