On Tuesday morning, towns in south-west France recorded astonishing overnight temperatures, reaching as high as 26.9 degrees Celsius (80.42 degrees Fahrenheit). Such conditions are remarkable for this time of year, with climatologist Matthieu Sorel from Météo France commenting on the unusual heat for late November, stating, “It’s very exceptional temperatures – even for the summer." Scientists noted that this staggering level of night-time warmth highlights the ongoing climate changes impacting the region.

The phenomenon, known as the Föhn effect, occurs when warm air from North Africa and the Mediterranean compresses as it descends the Pyrenees, leading to increased temperatures. This issue is compounded by fossil fuel pollution, which has contributed to a 1.3-degree Celsius rise in global temperatures since preindustrial times. In Europe, the pace of warming has been nearly double that of the global average, resulting in decreased snowpacks, parched reservoirs, and night-time temperatures that fail to provide relief after extreme daytime heat.

According to Météo France, the recorded temperature near Pau of 26.9C at 4 am on Tuesday surpassed the previous late November record of 26.2C established in 1970. Although it did not set a new record for the highest minimum temperature due to a later wind shift bringing cooler air, the significant temperature rise aligns with increasing climate change patterns, as Sorel points out.

Meanwhile, Denmark reported its warmest November night, although the Danish Meteorological Institute clarified that no formal records were broken. A strong storm low near the UK, care of the deep storm system named Bert, has been influencing weather patterns. Overall, these hot nights can pose health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations, and climate models suggest a potential for up to 100 tropical nights annually in some southern European regions by the century’s end if extreme heating continues.