Rain in France lasted for 40 consecutive days – a record since observations began in 1959. Additionally, soil moisture reached its highest level since that time.
A record series of rain has ended in France, lasting 40 consecutive days. However, despite signs of improvement, the flooding caused by it is still ongoing, reported the French National Meteorological Service Météo-France.
The previous record for the number of consecutive rainy days was set in 2023, when it rained for 32 days in a row.
This year, the streak lasted from January 14 to February 22, and "this is the longest streak of consecutive rainy days recorded in France since measurements began in 1959," Météo-France stated.
French meteorologists define a "rainy day" as a day when the average total precipitation across the country is equal to or exceeds 1 millimeter. On Monday, this figure was 0.7 mm.
Such precipitation accumulation is associated with a series of storms (Goretti, Ingrid, Nils, Pedro) along the Atlantic axis, framed by two anticyclones centered over Africa and Northern Europe.
Climate change is also contributing to increased precipitation. "A warmer atmosphere holds more water vapor, which increases the likelihood of intense precipitation and simultaneously alters its timing," explains Météo-France. "Since January 1, the tip of Brittany, much of southwestern France, and the Mediterranean coast have received precipitation equivalent to an entire winter or even more: 44 rainy days compared to 48 for an average winter."
February has already become the wettest on average across the country since 1959. And the winter of 2025-2026, which is not yet over, will enter the top ten wettest winters since 1959, according to Météo-France.
Although the sky looks more favorable in some regions early this week, the soil remains saturated with moisture. Vigicrues, the national agency responsible for monitoring floods, warned that water levels will decrease "very slowly," even if the weather improves.
On Wednesday morning, the agency downgraded the red flood danger level to orange on the rivers Maine, Loire, and Charente.
Water levels in the western part of the country, where exceptional flooding has been observed for over a week, began to slowly recede over the weekend.
"The downward trend continues," although not at the same pace everywhere, reported the Ministry of Ecological Transition.
Météo-France forecasts generally dry weather until Thursday evening, with "surprisingly mild temperatures for this time of year, often between 15 and 20°C across most of the country," but a new band of rain may "cross much of western France" between Thursday evening and Friday.
