France faces record-low soil moisture as September rains remain virtually absent
Météo-France says soil dryness across the country has hit historic September levels after virtually no rain fell this month.
According to Météo-France, the lack of rain this month has driven soil moisture to a historic low for September, with total national precipitation amounting to merely 8.2 mm. Only a single day saw rainfall exceeding 1 mm, while the rest of the period was essentially dry. The Manche coastline averaged just 10 mm, and the southern third of the country recorded between 5 and 10 mm, compared with the usual 60-70 mm.
Major cities such as Ajaccio, Nice, Paris and Romorantin received no measurable rain. The drought now covers 84 % of the nation, classified as a decadal-scale event, and in regions like Languedoc-Roussillon, Dordogne, Corrèze and Bas-Rhin the dryness reaches levels never observed in any season. The moisture deficit has erased the benefit of the late-August rains, worsening the already critical soil conditions.
Why it matters
Severe soil drought threatens agriculture, water supplies and fire risk across most of France.
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