In recent weeks, the Limousin region has experienced record rainfall, particularly in Corrèze where it rained, in two weeks, twice as much as a normal February. Decryption and explanations of this unusual phenomenon by Joël Gueusquin, meteorologist for Météo France in Corrèze, Creuse and Haute-Vienne.
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Since January 1, France has only had six days without rain. According to the Météo France bulletin from this Wednesday, February 18, it fell “the equivalent of an entire winter of precipitation, or more, on the tip of Brittany, a large southwest quarter and the Mediterranean rim”in a month and a half. These weather conditions are record-breaking: it has been raining since January 14 in the country, i.e. 35 consecutive days and this has never happened since rainfall measurements began in 1959.
Limousin is not immune to this phenomenon, as meteorologist Joël Gueusquin confirms. “The amounts of rain are completely unusual for the month of February. And, more broadly, since January 7, we have had an almost uninterrupted succession of depressions which have affected France. In January, the amounts of rain were not necessarily very significant, but since February, they have been very significant”indicates the specialist for Météo France.
In two weeks, we have already had almost twice as much rain as what we have in a normal month of February and in particular in Corrèze, which was the rainiest.
Joel Gueusquin
Meteorologist for Météo France
Between February 1 and 16, an average of 203 mm of rain fell in Corrèze (the normal for the month is 94 mm), 148 mm in Creuse (monthly normal of 76 mm) and 142 mm in Haute-Vienne (monthly normal of 82 mm). Many towns in Limousin have reached unprecedented levels such as Brive, Uzerche, Egletons and Boussac. With 235 mm of precipitation recorded, Meymac for example beat its record from February 1977 which was 227 mm.
In Corrèze, the Vézère in flood following the passage of storm Nils on February 13, 2026. • © Archive photo / France 3 Limousin
This precipitation fell on soils saturated with water, limiting infiltration and causing impressive flooding in places. This was the case on the Atlantic coast, in Lot-et-Garonne, but also in Corrèze where floods caused a lot of damage.
On the temperature side, the “redoux” felt by residents in February is confirmed by Météo France censuses. “This disturbed ocean weather, with a lot of rain, causes particularly mild minimum temperatures, since the sky remains overcast at night. So, we have + 4°C of anomaly, and on certain days, we had 8°C more in the morning than the usual temperatures”explains Joël Gueusquin.
Faced with this rise in temperatures, vegetation is flowering earlier than expected. “She feels that winter is a little over so she is starting to move forward. There will be no frost immediately, because we are going to be heading towards high temperatures for the beginning of next week. On the other hand, if the temperatures are low in March, it could be really detrimental to the vegetation”specifies the meteorologist.
Regarding the forecasts for the coming days, Météo France still foresees disruptions until Thursday February 19. “From Wednesday evening, there is a fairly active front which will cross the region. In the late afternoon and evening, it will bring significant amounts of rain which will continue on Thursday with also a very noticeable wind. Gusts of 70, 80 or even 90 km/hour on the terrain”explains Joël Gueusquin, who specifies that the Limousin region is placed on yellow alert for the wind.
