2025 Among France's Hottest Years on Record Amid Global Warming Trend

France is set to experience one of its hottest years on record in 2025, with average temperatures surpassing normal levels by 1°C, according to a provisional report released on December 15 by Météo-France. The year is projected to be the third or fourth warmest since temperature monitoring began in 1900, trailing only 2022 and 2023, and edging ahead of 2024 in terms of heat intensity.

Météo-France CEO Virginie Schwarz highlighted a clear trend toward rising temperatures, noting that the ten hottest years in the country have all occurred since 2010, with the three warmest since 2020. The average annual temperature in France for 2025 is around 14°C, marking a notable deviation from the 1991–2020 average.

The year featured multiple heat wave events across several months, including May, June, August, and early December, with climate data showing that half the days recorded temperatures above seasonal norms, compared to only one in five days with below-normal temperatures. Heat records were ten times more frequent than cold records, demonstrating the rapid evolution of France's climate.

Globally, 2025 is projected to be the second hottest year ever, closely approaching the record temperatures of 2023, according to data from the European Copernicus observatory. While 2024 saw unusually high precipitation, 2025's rainfall levels are expected to return closer to average.

This convergence of national and global data underscores an alarming warming pattern, intensifying concerns about climate change impacts in France and worldwide.