Tour de France Week 2 weather watch: Will thunderstorms later in the week bring respite from the heat?

It’s been a recurring theme in the Tour de France all week: the heat. On Sunday, the stage was shortened by 30 kilometers because of the high temperatures. What will it be like in Week 2? On some days, it’s still very hot in the Tour de France, with temperatures ranging from 35 to 37 degrees. Later in the week, the chance of thunderstorms during the stages will increase, according to Weather Online.

On this French holiday, the cyclists will ride through the Massif Central. The stage starts in Aurillac and finishes in Le Lioran. This area is a popular skiing destination in the winter, but right now there is a code orange weather warning in effect due to the ongoing heat.

The entire route takes place at a considerable elevation above sea level. The lowest sections, such as the starting point, are around 600 meters, and the highest point of the stage is over 1,500 meters. At an elevation of around 600 meters, the temperature rises to about 35 degrees. At 1,500 meters, it’s still around 26 degrees. The light to moderate wind from the southwest to west will not play a significant role.

This mostly flat stage in the center of the country takes the peloton from Vichy to Nevers. There is little wind and plenty of sunshine. The temperature will rise to 34 to 36 degrees in the afternoon. Cumulus clouds will also form, and there may be a local thunderstorm. The chances of this hitting the riders directly aren’t high, but it can’t be ruled out either.

On this stage, the Tour caravan travels from the Nevers Magny-Cours racetrack to Chalon-sur-Saône. The stage will once again be mostly sunny and sweltering, with temperatures ranging from 34 to 37 degrees locally. There will be hardly any wind, and in the afternoon, heavy cumulonimbus clouds will form that could develop into severe thunderstorms. There’s a good chance the showers won’t arrive until the evening, by which time the riders will have already finished, but a shower during the final part of the stage is certainly possible.

This stage takes the riders from Dole to Belfort. The first part of the stage is mostly flat, but the final section includes a steep climb in the Vosges. With temperatures ranging from 25 to 28 degrees, it will be less hot than in previous days, but the riders should be prepared for heavy showers. In addition to rain, there is also a chance of thunderstorms.

On Saturday, there will be a mountain stage in the Vosges from Mulhouse to Le Markstein. On Sunday, the stage will start in Champagnole in the Jura and finish on the Plateau de Solaison in the Northern Alps. The weather will remain warm and summery, with frequent sunshine and highs around 30 degrees in the lower elevations. There is also a chance of thunderstorms on both days.