January 2026 Weather Summary – France (Translated)
National average temperature: 12.7 °C ( +1.4 °C above the climatological normal of 11.3 °C) – 10th warmest January on record since 1950 (according to the INM Monthly Climate Bulletin).
National precipitation total: 2,302.7 mm ( 206 % of the normal 1,118.1 mm) – 6th wettest January since 1950.
The excess rainfall was especially concentrated in the north and centre of the country, leading to soil saturation, localized flooding, and heavy pressure on storm‑water drainage networks.
Wind episode: An exceptional wind event was recorded at the end of the month. On 31 January, Kasserine measured a peak gust of 129.6 km/h. Other stations—Kébili, Béja, Tozeur, Médenine, and Tataouine—also reported gusts exceeding 100 km/h. Earlier, on 28 January, Thala and Tabarka logged 111.6 km/h and 108 km/h respectively, confirming a widespread windstorm across the region.
Key Takeaways
| Parameter | Value | Anomaly vs. Normal | Rank Since 1950 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Temperature | 12.7 °C | +1.4 °C | 10th warmest January |
| Total Precipitation | 2,302.7 mm | +206 % | 6th wettest January |
| Maximum Wind Gust | 129.6 km/h (Kasserine) | — | — |
- High temperatures combined with record rainfall created contrasting extreme weather conditions nationwide.
- Northern and central regions faced soil saturation and local floods, stressing storm‑water infrastructure.
- The late‑January windstorm produced gusts over 100 km/h across multiple stations, highlighting the severity of the wind episode.
January 2026 therefore stands out as a month of elevated temperatures, unprecedented precipitation in several areas, and violent winds, underscoring the increasing frequency of extreme and contrasting weather events across the country.
