Violent Mediterranean episodes in the fall ? A scenario “increasingly likely” according to experts

The Mediterranean, which exceeded 30 °C on the surface at the beginning of August, is experiencing an abnormal rise in temperature. This phenomenon may predict an increase in violent rainy episodes in the fall.

Towards heavy rainy episodes this fall? This is an increasingly real possibility since the Mediterranean exceeded the 30 °C surface threshold, off the coast of Monaco, during the first weekend of August. An abnormal temperature at these latitudes according to Météo-France which could increase the chances of witnessing rainy Mediterranean episodes, according to experts, quoted by BFMTV.

“The regions from the Côte d'Azur to the Gulf of Genoa and the islands of Corsica and Sardinia saw temperatures rise above normal throughout July”, notes Météo-France.

“A potential for precipitation more important"

The temperature of the Mediterranean is directly linked to precipitation, indicates the meteorological institute, which announces "that’an abnormally warm temperature of the Mediterranean Sea in autumn can make Mediterranean episodes more intense by allowing the atmosphere to store more humidity on its way to the coasts"

According to Météo-France climatologist Romaric Cinotti, interviewed by AFP, this means that we will potentially have more water in the atmosphere and a potential for precipitation that will be greater, since the atmosphere will be loaded with more humidity.

According to Copernicus, the European Climate Change Observatory, it is also “increasingly likely” that 2024 will be the hottest year in history.