An Internet user assures that the majority of France experiences more rain than London.
Information confirmed by data transmitted by Météo-France.
The official meteorological agency points out, however, that this indicator is not the most relevant in terms of climatic sensations.
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Beyond the crown and the tea, the umbrella is undeniably one of the symbols of London. However, according to a video posted on Instagram on November 10, it rains less than in the whole of France. Viewed more than 1.7 million times, this map claims that the vast majority of French territory would experience more precipitation than the British capital, which has a reputation as a city with inclement weather.
Not the most relevant indicator
To find out more, we directly asked Météo-France. With TF1info, the official meteorological agency confirms this observation. Based on data aggregated by the Climate Change Explorer tool (new window)an interactive map managed by the national research institute for agriculture, food and the environment (INRAE), Météo-France indicates that the annual cumulative rainfall in London over the period spanning from 1970 to 2000 was 661 millimeters. That is, precipitation barely higher than in Paris (632) or Marseille (602 mm), but less than in Toulouse (683). Like Lyon, the inhabitants of Bordeaux and Nice even see more than 800 mm of rain rushing through their streets each year, much more than Londoners.
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A finding similar to that of the “climate normals” calculated by Météo-France in 2014 (new window). They allow us to confirm that “the vast majority of French territory would actually be rainier than London”.
Be careful, however, with TF1info, the meteorological service emphasizes that this observation only concerns the “annual accumulation of rain”. That is to say the number of millimeters of rain that fell in the year. An indicator to differentiate from the number of days of precipitation. London has an average of 111 rainy days, according to data (new window)of the British National Meteorological Service. That is, twice as much as in Marseille (53 days) and a little more than in Paris (109 days). However, as Météo-France points out, it is rather this second indicator which should be taken into account in terms “climatic feeling”. It is to this almost permanent grayness that London owes its bad reputation as the capital of rain.
Do you want to ask us questions or submit information that you do not believe is reliable? Do not hesitate to write to us at [email protected]. Find us also on X: our team is present there behind the account @verif_TF1LCI.
