• Brittany has seen its thermometer drop a little in recent days after strong heat for ten days.

  • However, the temperature of bathing waters has not increased, sometimes dropping suddenly.

  • The phenomenon of upwelling, which pushes surface water offshore, has been observed on several occasions.

The detractors of Brittany know it well.

Even in the middle of August, it is impossible to set foot in the water as it is so cold.

The real ones know that's not the case.

But it has to be said that this summer, it is very difficult to see clearly in the crystal clear waters of the Breton coast.

“She is super cold”, we could hear here and there.

Before a correction two days later, recognizing that “this time it is good”.

While the Atlantic coast has been bathed in scorching heat in recent weeks, has the water temperature taken the opportunity to climb?

Not sure, because the phenomenon is quite complex.

This summer, Mediterranean waters are showing record temperatures that are worrying scientists.

The Basque coast also benefits from the warm waters of the Atlantic.

From Brittany to Vendée, the situation is much more uncertain.

“Even when it was 40 degrees, the water stayed cool.

It was surprising,” admits Patrick Auger, head of sector at the SNSM in Batz-sur-Mer.

In the charming town of Loire-Atlantique, we sometimes shivered with a thermometer that timidly exceeded 15 degrees in the water.

"It's a little uphill.

We are at 18 or 19 degrees depending on the beach, ”assures the lifeguard swimmer.

Paradoxically, it is when the high temperatures have disappeared that the water warms up.

In Piriac-sur-Mer, it has been nearly 20 degrees in recent days as the heat wave has dissipated.

The main reason ?

The much stronger inertia of water compared to the outside temperature.

“Some days, it was really cold, it was striking”, assures Sylvie, a regular of places.

Loire-Atlantique, like other areas of southern Brittany, have suffered the phenomenon of “upwelling”.

Pushed by an onshore wind, the surface water warmed by the extreme temperatures was pushed offshore.

“This void was filled by deeper and colder upwellings,” explains Météo Bretagne.

At first she is cold...

This very significant difference between the outside temperature and water temperature has increased the risk of hydrocution.

And the attention of rescuers at the same time.

“We saw a few teenagers running from their towels to jump into the water.

This is exactly what should not be done.

But, it was rare, ”says Patrick Auger.

To alert swimmers of the risks, the SNSM has communicated a lot.

And even hoisted the yellow flag even though the sea was oil.

“You have to go crescendo.

The risk is not negligible”.

As famous philosophers of the sea said, “At first it is cold, at first it is cold, at first it is cold and then it is good”, sings Marcel and his Orchestra.

Originally from Boulogne-sur-Mer, the group acts as an expert in water temperature.

In a context of global warming, it is important to remember that the Channel has seen its temperature rise by just under one degree in a decade.

The reputedly cold waters of Brittany could no longer be so, raising fears of the disappearance of certain species.

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