The year 2024 will be remembered for its climatic records in France.

According to Météo-France, it ranks among the five hottest years ever recorded since 1900, with a provisional average temperature of 14°C. At the global level, this year is also expected to be the hottest ever measured, crossing for the first time the threshold of 1.5°C warming compared to the pre-industrial era, according to the European observatory Copernicus.

A climate that illustrates global warming
In France, 2024 was characterized by episodes of intense heat, with temperatures surpassing 40°C on several occasions. Days warmer than normal were twice as numerous as colder days, and temperatures in lowland areas did not drop below -15°C, as in 2023. These findings align with a worrying trend: nine of the ten hottest years in France have been recorded since 2010.

According to Météo-France, these anomalies will become the norm if greenhouse gas emissions continue on their current trajectory. By 2050, the temperatures of 2024 could be exceeded “more than one year out of two.”

An exceptionally rainy year
In parallel, 2024 ranks among the ten wettest years since 1959, with 15% more precipitation than average. These abundant rains caused major floods in several regions and led to the greatest deficit in sunshine observed in three decades.

Soil moisture remained above average for eight consecutive months, an unprecedented phenomenon in over 30 years. This situation contrasts with the extremely dry conditions of 2022, one of the least rainy years ever recorded in France.

An uncertain climate trajectory
Météo-France emphasizes that these fluctuations, both in temperature and precipitation, are representative of future climate trends. While the general trend points to warming, the long-term evolution of precipitation levels remains uncertain. However, the impact of global warming is undeniable and poses a significant threat to biodiversity and human societies.

Solutions such as transitioning to renewable energy, reducing meat consumption, and adopting more sustainable lifestyles are essential to slowing global warming and mitigating its already visible consequences.