We thought we’d finally be able to break out the down jackets, scarves, and thick sweaters. Even though it’s already mid-November, temperatures are still going up and down like a yo-yo. After a few cool days, mild weather is set to return to the capital. And while these fluctuations may be pleasant, they’re above all quite surprising. After a record-breaking hot summer and a particularly mild early fall, 2026 continues to surprise us with unusual temperatures. So, why isn’t the cold really setting in? And more importantly, how long could this situation last?
From the summer heat wave to abnormal fall temperatures
It’s hard to forget the heat we felt all summer long. According to Météo-France, the summer of 2026 was the hottest on record in France in over a century, surpassing even those of 2003 and 2022. With temperatures 3.6 °C above seasonal norms, the country experienced 53 days of heat waves spread across three separate episodes.
And the arrival of September didn’t really mark the end of this heat. Quite the contrary! With an average temperature 3.1 °C above normal, September 2026 ranked as the second-hottest September ever recorded in France.
And October hasn’t really changed the picture. With temperatures still 1 °C above normal, fall has continued on the same track. But no sooner have we pulled out our coats than the mild weather is already back.
In Paris, a November far from the usual temperatures
With the first cool days of November, it almost felt like winter had arrived. However, this return of the cold was only temporary. Forecasts for the coming weeks even predict temperatures that are quite surprising for this time of year.
And it clearly isn’t about to change. Starting the week of November 16, mild weather is expected to gain ground again, with temperatures up to 3°C above seasonal norms, according to La Chaîne Météo. In northern France, the thermometer could still read between 9 and 13°C. It makes you wonder if winter is ever really going to arrive.
The most surprising thing of all is this feeling of no longer really knowing which season to trust. After a few days of digging out our winter clothes, temperatures are already rising again. And while this mild weather may seem pleasant at the moment, it’s especially cause for concern after all the heat records set this year.
And what’s most unsettling is that this mild weather could stick around until the last days of November. With winter just a few weeks away, it’s hard not to wonder how long these unusual temperatures will last.
Mild Weather Raises Questions
As the Christmas holidays approach, this weather is cause for concern. Why are temperatures continuing to rise even as winter approaches?
Of course, a few milder days in November are nothing out of the ordinary. What’s more surprising is seeing temperatures rise again after several months marked by unusually warm weather.
But behind these temperatures—which are almost pleasant for November—lies a less cheerful reality. According to Météo-France, the exceptional heat of the summer of 2026 would have been virtually impossible without climate change. And even though a few days of mild warmth in the fall aren’t really unusual, the fact that they come after months of intense heat serves as a reminder of just how much our climate is at risk.
And even if the arrival of December eventually brings back the cold, it won’t erase the exceptional temperatures of recent months. Because behind this lingering mild weather, it’s above all the changing climate that should concern us.
In the meantime, this mild November weather reminds us of one thing above all: after a record-breaking summer and an abnormally warm fall, a few cool days aren’t enough to make us forget this year’s exceptional temperatures.