The Var records a 50% sunshine deficit in February

This month of February rhymes with gray skies and bad weather in the Var. In recent weeks, the department has recorded 50% less sunshine compared to seasonal norms.

With only 80 hours of sunlight, the star was visible 90 hours less than normal for a month of February. You have to go back to the 2000s to reach such a record.

Conversely, the territory has suffered 30% of rainfall since the beginning of the year.

Enough to weigh on the morale of the Varois and the activity of restaurateurs and shopkeepers. In the Mourillon district of Toulon, the terraces are thus deserted by residents and tourists.

"I spoke with a shopkeeper who has just taken over a bar that is doing very well, but with the bad weather he feels that his terrace is emptying and that he is unable to fill it," says Claire Gault, president of the Mourillon shopkeepers' association.

"Customers are not there, and if they are there, the act of purchasing is not necessarily triggered as easily as with good weather," she continues.

The entire region is affected by this lack of sunshine, but this episode of gloom is coming to an end. "We're going to end the month on a rather sunny note," emphasizes Yohan Laurito, meteorologist for Météo-Varoise, on BFM Toulon Var. The gloomy weather should give way to "sunshine from this Wednesday, Thursday will also be a beautiful day," assures the expert.

This weekend, according to Météo-France , the sun will be present throughout the department with a few clouds.