After a rough, windy stretch of Atlantic weather, the anticyclone is returning to France, and the forecast for next week looks much more settled. Storm Austen, strong gusts and several rainy spells have defined the past few days. Early next week the Azores high will push back in and steer the disturbed flow well to the north. If you have been waiting for a break to get outdoor jobs done, plan a trip or simply enjoy a quiet autumn week, this is shaping up to be it.
Why the Anticyclone Is Returning Now
The shift comes from the Azores high, which will swell back from the southwest in the form of a ridge. Think of it as a wedge of high pressure sliding in from the Atlantic. Low-pressure systems will keep passing farther north, over the Atlantic and the British Isles, while pressure rises steadily over the Iberian Peninsula and then over France.
That is why this improvement looks more reliable than the usual brief gap between storms. Forecasters currently see the return of high pressure for several days as the dominant scenario. The stormy sequence was striking but short, and the ocean’s influence over France is about to fade.
What Next Week’s Calm Will Look Like
Compared with the past few days, the contrast should be clear. Expect a week that is calmer, drier and brighter, with a gradual rise in temperatures rather than a sudden jump. Here is how the two phases compare:
| Feature | End of this week | Early to mid next week |
|---|---|---|
| Main driver | Atlantic depressions, Storm Austen | Azores high building as a ridge |
| Wind | Strong, gusty | Much calmer |
| Rain | Several passing showers and fronts | Mostly dry |
| Sunshine | Limited, frequent cloud | Brighter spells |
| Temperatures | Unsettled feel | Gradual mild-up |
| Main nuisance | Wind and rain | Morning mist and low cloud |
The Catch: Morning Fog and Grey Starts
Anticyclonic weather is not always wall-to-wall blue sky, especially in late October. Nights are long, the air is calm, and moisture settles near the ground. The main caveat is morning gloom that can linger locally, typical of high-pressure spells at this time of year.
A few practical points for the week ahead:
- Leave extra time for morning commutes where fog forms, and use dipped headlights in poor visibility.
- Expect the best sunshine in the afternoon once low cloud thins out.
- Cool, clear nights can still feel chilly at dawn even as daytime temperatures edge up.
- Gardeners and walkers should expect dry ground but damp, dewy early mornings.
How to Make the Most of a Settled Week
Calm autumn spells are valuable, so it helps to use them well. This is a good window for outdoor maintenance such as gutters, fences and garden tidying, and for walks, cycling or short trips that stormy weather would have wrecked. If you commute, expect fewer wind-related disruptions. Anyone drying laundry outside or repainting a shutter will also appreciate the drier air.
It is also worth keeping a little flexibility. Forecasts get less precise as the days stretch out, so check an updated outlook from your national weather service before fixing plans, especially for anything further out than the first half of the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will it rain next week in France?
Mostly no. High pressure is expected to bring a drier, more stable pattern, with the rainy systems pushed farther north.
Is the calm weather going to last?
The expected scenario is a return of high pressure for several days, which is why forecasters describe the lull as lasting. Beyond the first part of the week, confidence naturally decreases.
Will it be sunny every day?
Not necessarily. Brighter weather is expected overall, but morning fog and grey cloud can persist locally before clearing.
Will it get warmer?
Temperatures should rise gradually, in a progressive mild-up rather than a sharp jump.