It seems that there will be little respite from the high temperatures of the long, hot summer of 2026 in France, as a fifth heatwave since May spreads from the south-east of the country
Weather alert map of France for Monday, August 10th. Graphic: Météo-FranceThe départements of; Ain, Allier, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Hautes-Alpes, Alpes-Maritimes, Ardèche, Bouches-du-Rhône, Cher, Corrèze, Corse-du-Sud, Haute-Corse, Doubs, Drôme, Gard, Isère, Jura, Rhône, Saône-et-Loire, Savoie, Haute-Savoie, Var and Vaucluse are all under the orange level weather alert for extreme heat as of Monday morning, amid warnings that the conditions will intensify and spread further across the country from Tuesday.
Dozens more are under yellow alerts for high temperatures on Monday, while violent storms are moving from the south-west to the south-east, though alerts for storms have been pared back from orange to yellow, forecasters said.
The forecast for the afternoon of Monday, August 10th in France. Graphic: Météo-FranceThe intense heat is expected to reach a peak between Wednesday and Saturday, with highs between 35C and 38C, or even 40C, and ‘tropical nights’ where temperatures are unlikely to drop below 20C.
Locally very violent thunderstorms hit south-western France on Sunday afternoon and evening, with strong electrical activity, violent wind gusts, hail and heavy rainfall.
In Capbreton, a month’s worth of rain fell in two hours overnight, while storm monitor Keraunos recorded more than 1,900 lightning strikes in the Landes département alone.
READ ALSO:
Light meals and shutters: The French government advice for surviving a heatwave
'Avoid iced water and air-conditioning on max' - How the French stay cool in a heatwave
'Don't sleep naked' - How to get a good night’s sleep in a French heatwave
Comments