North-west Europe is set for an unusual burst of autumn warmth this week as southern Europe’s warm air moves northward.
This brief spell of warmer-than-average conditions is caused by a “wavy” jet stream that allows warm air to travel further north.
Temperatures in France are expected to climb to the mid-20s on Tuesday and Wednesday, with some parts of the southwest potentially going even higher.
Meanwhile, the Benelux region and southeastern England could see temperatures in the low-20s by midweek.
The most striking weather change will be felt during Tuesday night when temperatures in north-west Europe are expected to remain in the high teens, 5-10°C above average for October.
Some areas in southern France may not drop below 20°C, creating a “tropical night.”
Sahara sees torrential rain after drought, with devastating floods and much-needed relief.This warm period, though significant, is expected to be short-lived. By midweek, heavy rain and thunderstorms will arrive from the southeast, bringing the warm spell to an abrupt end.
Parts of France, especially the Massif Central, could see over 100mm of rain within 24 hours between Wednesday and Thursday.
Meanwhile, in the Sahara Desert, rainfall has been unusually high in recent months. Some regions, like southeastern Morocco, have seen up to five times their usual precipitation, causing destructive flooding.
Over 100mm of rain fell within 24 hours in some areas, resulting in 20 fatalities and the devastation of local agriculture.
However, this rain has brought some relief after six years of drought, replenishing water reserves in the region.
Experts suggest this unusual weather may be tied to shifts in the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), potentially influenced by rising global temperatures.