“I spent my weekend at the beach”: faced with the heat in the middle of winter, the inhabitants of the region between pleasure and anxiety

Montpellier residents took advantage of the sun. Free Midi – GIACOMO ITALIANO

It was up to 27.5° C in Occitanie this weekend, a warm spell welcomed by the inhabitants of the region. Terraces, beaches, outdoor activities… some are taking advantage of the early return of sunny days while others are alarmed.

"It was so hot that we moved back inside". Paul can't believe it. At 65, the retiree who lives in Céret intended to have lunch on his terrace this Sunday, taking advantage of the record temperature recorded in the region (27.5° C). He didn't expect such heat, especially in the middle of winter. 

A sweetness that feels good

"I really like the heat and I tell myself that we must take advantage of it", laughs Sandra, who spent her weekend at the seaside with her family. Because the sunny days give residents glimpses of vacation: "Every time the weather is nice, the terraces are full",rejoices Louis, waiter at Café Riche on the Place de la Comédie in Montpellier, "there were a lot more people on Saturday with the rise in temperatures& quot;.

The terraces represent 70% of the turnover of the place's emblematic bar , a godsend when the sun comes out. Consumption changes: coffees are transformed into beer, syrups, red wine is swapped for white, salads replace hot dishes.

The town center of La Surdouée was full this weekend. Sunglasses dusted off, cold beer ordered on the terrace, ice cream in hand to stroll the streets and even the first hats of the year screwed on the heads: "For the holidays there will be no departures to the mountains but to the seaside", puts Lou, originally from Prades, into perspective.&nbsp ;

The city is starting to welcome tourists again, this is the case for Charlotte, 38 years old, and Jamon, 39 years old. The couple took a vacation before having to return to work in a few weeks. For these two seasonal workers, winter warmth is a luxury: they too will enjoy the little pleasures of the sun this year.

Climate disruption in the background

The mild temperatures are pleasant. On the other hand, the period is worrying. "This heat is weird though. Given the temperatures this weekend, we feel that the summer is going to be unbearable, we will endure it I think", fear Océane and Enola, who are strolling in the streets of the Badge.

For some, this sweetness is more bitter, the stigma of a worrying rise in temperatures: "This year Cop 28 was organized in Dubai, this clearly demonstrates the interest we have in this vital cause", deplores Fabio, who is surprised, from home of his parents in Port-Vendres, may the warm weather be welcomed with as much serenity.

Also read:Weather: "More than 2,500 heat records have been broken"… the year 2023 was the year of all extremes

"This heat is very worrying, a few years ago we were super happy when we had this kind of weather in the middle of winter , it was exceptional. But now it worries me more than anything else, because at this rate, I wonder if the seasons will still exist in a few years", fears the young sound technician, well alert to the questions posed by exceptional weather episodes. 

These anticipated heat periods are becoming more and more frequent and arriving earlier and earlier in the year. This week again, the threshold of 20° This will be crossed several times in the Pyrénées-Orientales, Aude and Hérault in particular. Light rain is expected next week, not enough to say goodbye to drought, but enough to bring the mercury down a few degrees. 

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