2024-11-05 15:23:00
Here comes the sunGeorge Harrison and the Beatles sang on the legendary album in 1969 Abbey Road. This song, the inhabitants of the West of France must listen to on repeat at this time, with the hope that the prophecy will come true. Because for the moment the sun doesn’t want to arrive. Blocked by a thick blanket of clouds, the star no longer dares to show itself, to the point that in Rennes or Nantes we no longer even know what it looks like. According to meteorologist Steven Tual, founder from the Temps Breton websitewe would not have measured a single minute of sunshine in Nantes in the last seven days. Since October 26, the star has only shone for a total of 1 hour and 17 minutes.
And it’s no better in Rennes, Caen or Lille. “The greyness persists north of the Loire,” analyzes Météo-France in its daily bulletin. Based in Maine-et-Loire, Damien Belliard confirms that his station recorded just three hours of sunshine in twelve days. The weather buff talks about an “eighth consecutive day of no sun” this Tuesday.
Did they lie to us?
Last week was supposed to be radiant with an omnipresent sun announced on weather applications and on our pages. Promise not kept. In fact, the sun never arrives, preferring to wrap itself in a thick fog in the morning and evening, maintaining its cloud cover during the day. Depressing? Absolutely. “In the north of France, morning fogs are still numerous, and often tenacious in the afternoon, giving way to a sky that remains very grey”, forecast Météo-France for Wednesday.
The good news is that from Thursday the situation should improve with slightly clearer skies. The bad news is that the cover will return very quickly, probably starting Friday evening, and will settle for a long time, due to the lack of wind to move it.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Meteorologist Steven Tual
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Steven! Thank you for joining us today. I have to say, it seems like you’re the man of the hour—literally! The people of Nantes and Rennes have been asking, “Where has the sun gone?” Can you give us some context on the current weather situation in the West of France?
Steven Tual: Thank you for having me! It’s quite an unusual period we’re experiencing right now. As you mentioned, Nantes hasn’t seen a single minute of sunshine in the last week, and that’s really significant. Since October 26, there’s been only about an hour and 17 minutes of sun total. This persistent cloud cover is due to a combination of atmospheric conditions that have trapped moisture in the area.
Time.news Editor: That sounds quite gloomy! Is this type of prolonged overcast sky typical for November in your region, or is this an anomaly?
Steven Tual: While November can certainly bring more clouds and rain in the West of France, the extent and duration of this recent overcast is not typical. It’s certainly more extreme. The phenomenon we’re seeing is more common in winter months, so residents are feeling the pinch and nostalgia for the sun earlier than expected.
Time.news Editor: I imagine people are linking their moods to the weather—it’s an age-old connection! Do you find that a lack of sunshine for this length of time impacts people’s mental well-being?
Steven Tual: Absolutely, there’s a well-documented relationship between sunlight exposure and mood. Lack of sunlight can lead to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which affects many individuals during prolonged periods of cloudiness. In regions like Nantes and Rennes, where people are accustomed to a fair amount of sunlight, this can be particularly challenging.
Time.news Editor: Are there any silver linings or signs that the clouds might clear up soon? What does your forecast say for the coming days?
Steven Tual: While the immediate future still looks cloudy, there is a glimmer of hope! We expect some gradual clearing towards the end of this week, with the forecast indicating a possible return of sunshine. However, it’s important to remember that weather patterns can be unpredictable, so we’ll keep our fingers crossed!
Time.news Editor: It seems like the perfect opportunity for residents in the area to prepare for a ‘sunny day’ celebration! as a meteorologist, what advice would you give to those struggling with the dreary weather?
Steven Tual: I recommend finding ways to invite light into your life. Whether it’s through light therapy lamps or spending time outside during those rare sunny breaks, it’s crucial. Engaging in social activities, even if indoors, can also uplift spirits. And of course, keep an eye on the forecasts—I always say hope is just a weather report away!
Time.news Editor: Wise words, Steven! Thank you for sharing your insights with us today. Here’s hoping for some sunshine soon!
Steven Tual: Thank you for having me, and let’s hope the sun returns sooner rather than later!