In France, 2024 is one of the hottest years since 1900, according to Météo-France

Marked by major floods in several regions, 2024 is also among the rainiest years since 1959, the forecaster announced Thursday.

In France as across the planet, the year which is ending will have been marked by high temperatures. “2024 is one of the five hottest years in France”announced Météo-France during a press conference on Thursday, December 19, to take stock of the weather forecast for the past year. Marked by major floods in several regions, 2024 is also “among the ten rainiest years” since 1959, with 15% precipitation above normal and the greatest deficit of sunshine in 30 years, according to this annual report.

“Illustrating the scarcity of cold in our country”the 40°C mark was again crossed in places on certain days of the year, and the temperature “did not drop below -15°C in the plains” as in 2023, notes Météo-France. “A sign of climate change, 9 of the 10 hottest years in France occurred after 2010”note Météo-France. “We are definitely on the trend of global warming”assured Virginie Schwarz, CEO of the institute. The exceptionally high temperature of 2024 is expected to become normal in the future, with Météo-France predicting it will be exceeded “more than one year in two” by 2050, given the current trajectory of humanity’s greenhouse gas emissions.

For precipitation, the exceptional surplus in 2024 follows a very dry year in 2022 (-24%) and close to normal in 2023. However, “in a future climate, precipitation accumulations will remain very variable and their long-term evolution, on a national scale, is very uncertain”projects the institute.

Since the 19th century, the Earth’s average temperature has warmed by 1.1°C. Scientists have established with certainty that this increase is due to human activities, which consume fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas). This warming, unprecedented in its speed, threatens the future of our societies and biodiversity. But solutions – renewable energies, sobriety, reduced meat consumption – exist. Discover our answers to your questions about the climate crisis.