Le Figaro Lyon
In the Rhône, rain followed rain in the month of March 2024. Precipitation which reached a record level since 1964. Last month in Lyon, 137.7 millimeters of rain fell compared to 141.4 mm there. 60 years ago. A level, however, below the record ever recorded, in 1937, when March saw 168 millimeters of rain.
“This is a fairly exceptional and unusual event at this time of year, particularly in terms of its geographical extent. It rained not only in the south-eastern quarter but also in Lyonnais, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and even as far as Burgundy. This resulted in significant flooding on the Saône plain
,” explains to Le
Figaro
Cyrille Duchesne, head of the forecasting service at La Chaîne Météo*.
Humidity, coupled with a particularly mild air mass for the period (the month of March saw temperatures two degrees above normal), unusual for a month of March continues Cyrille Duchesne:
“In general, March is drier because it is a transition month between the winter period and the storms of May. For comparison, the average rainfall for the month of March is 49.4 millimeters. We therefore had +179% compared to normal
. Rains which were particularly concentrated on a few days, particularly at the end of the month.
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However, these showers had a positive effect on the water tables, assures the latter.
“The past years have been particularly dry. This month therefore puts an end to a long period of drought and this precipitation will be beneficial for regional hydrology in order to start the summer period at a less critical level because the water needs were very high
. The current flood of the Saône should take some time to subside. As a result, the city of Lyon has taken the decision to close access to the docks and to block and evacuate the parking lots along the river.
*
The Météo Channel belongs to the Figaro group
.