The warmth has given way to cold and windy weather for several weeks now. A winter that is seeming more difficult than usual for many. How are expats coping with winter time on the island? We've checked in with our members.
It is officially snuggling season. Indeed, the temperature has not stopped dropping since May: first, 15 degrees, then 14 and even 13 degrees in June, the winter is cooler than it usually is at this time of the year. For the last month, the weather has been influenced by the presence of a high pressure system.
Between the windy weather and the rainy spells, it has become difficult to enjoy the outdoors. Jex, a Frenchman who has already been on the island through five winters: "I find it much colder than the previous four. It's raining and gray all the time, whereas the winters are rather nice in theory, the rainy season being over. It's not hot, but I'm still in shorts all day, a sweater is required in the evening though, and that's not something I'm used to," he explains.
Victoralo, on the other hand, plans to take advantage of the cold weather to enjoy winter meals from home while he waits for the summer and the opportunity to enjoy the sun and the pool. "Last winter was very mild. So it's been two years since we've had such cool weather. It's good for the pot-au-feu or the Savoyard fondue. And it's good for the water table, so we won't run out of water for our pools and everything else this summer," says this Grand Bay resident.
However, the weather is more pleasant in the coastal areas. Ullye, a retiree who has fallen in love with the island, lives in the north and enjoys the mild winter although she has finally bought a comforter for the first time this year. "This is the fifth winter but it feels good. Right now we are at our friends' house in Bois Chéri and it is 17° in the bedroom, humid, it's freezing. I put a hot water bottle in the bed. The north is much nicer," says the pensioner.
And then there are the ones who actually prefer this time of year. Etienne lives in Albion with his wife and young daughter. While he doesn't complain about the cold, he does admit that this winter is "rather wet compared to previous years. But personally I prefer winter to summer so overall I find it pleasant.”
His family and him have quickly adapted to the change: no air conditioning in the car, at the office or at home, "I've even started using a blanket," he says.
While there are two distinct wardrobes for winter and summer in the northern hemisphere, things are a little different here. The sun can quickly give way to clouds, winds and showers. Oréo is careful and tries to avoid unpleasant surprises. "I don't necessarily think that winter has become colder, but the weather is very capricious. Sun, rain, sun, wind, you can never plan anything and it's a pain to not know how to dress to go out because the weather is always changing. In terms of routine, I just try to be a little more equipped: glasses, umbrella, cap, scarf and raincoat in the bag to be ready for anything."
The temperature is definitely not going to rise in the coming days. Indeed, the months of July and August are known to be the coldest of the year. The Vacoas weather station is forecasting minimum temperatures between 11 and 13 degrees on the Central Plateau.
