Subseasonal-to-seasonal (S2S) forecasts with CNRM-CM: a case study on the July 2015 West-European heat wave

Abstract. An intense heat wave struck West Europe in early July 2015. The degree of anticipation of that event is assessed through the new CNRM near-real time subseasonal to seasonal forecast system. A warm anomaly over France was detected for the first week of July in all the successive forecasts issued in June, even up to one month ahead. On the other hand, the positive 500 hPa geopotential anomaly observed during that period was little anticipated. Despite the limited skill of the forecast system beyond twelve days, the relatively successful anticipation of that event pleads for a predictability study based on a multi-system assessment.