Heatwave in the south, sudden return of thunderstorms: the weather is changing dramatically this Friday.

Friday confirmed a marked contrast between the regions. The south enjoyed mostly sunny weather, particularly near the Mediterranean, with an almost summery feel. Temperatures climbed to 28-30°C between Montpellier and Perpignan, and around 25°C in Bordeaux and Toulouse. Conversely, the north remained under cloudier skies, with some light rain in the morning and much cooler temperatures, ranging from 13 to 18°C.

This balance will, however, quickly break down. Starting Saturday, the arrival of an active weather system will cause widespread deterioration with persistent rain and thunderstorms across a large part of the country. Temperatures will drop sharply, often falling between 5 and 10°C, particularly in the north.

On Sunday, the weather pattern will remain unsettled in the east with continued rain, while the west will gradually see clearer skies. Cooler temperatures will then prevail across the entire country, bringing an end to the almost summery spell observed the previous day.