3 weeks ago
France Braces for Fifth Heatwave as Europe Sets Temperature Records
France is a country in Europe, and it is having a very, very hot summer.
Weather experts called Météo-France say another super-hot day is coming, and this will be the fifth time this summer they have told people to be careful because of the heat.
In some parts of France, it could get close to 40 degrees, which is very hot even for a summer day.
This is happening because the Earth is getting warmer, partly because people burn fuels that add heat-trapping gases to the sky.
There is also something called El Niño happening in the ocean, which can change the weather and make some places extra hot.
Because it is so hot, the ground is drying out, there are big forest fires, and the oceans are heating up too.
In fact, the ocean was warmer last month than it has ever been for that month.
In France, one day in June was the hottest day ever recorded in the whole country, and many more people than usual got sick or died from the heat.
So many people had to leave their homes because of a huge fire that scientists say is made worse by climate change.
Countries like France are watching the weather carefully to try to keep people safe.
France is bracing for its fifth heat wave alert of the season as Météo-France forecasts temperatures near 40°C (104°F) in southeastern France from Tuesday.
Europe's extreme heat since May has fueled major wildfires, prolonged drought, new national temperature records and thousands of projected heat-related deaths.
Copernicus reported a record average July sea surface temperature of 20.96°C (69.73°F) across the extrapolar oceans, beating the 2023 record.
Scientists warn 2026 — currently the third-hottest year behind 2024 and 2025 — could become the hottest year on record due to global warming and a supersized El Niño.
France recorded its hottest day ever on June 23 at 44.3°C (111.7°F), at least 5,700 excess deaths in June, and a wildfire that forced 220,000 people to flee.
- Who
- Residents of France and Western Europe, with monitoring by Météo-France, Copernicus and France's public health agency.
- What
- A record-breaking summer heat spell bringing France's fifth heat wave alert, extreme temperatures, wildfires, drought and heat-related deaths.
- Where
- France (notably the southeast and southwest) and Western Europe more broadly.
- When
- Since May 2026, with Météo-France warning of near-40°C heat from Tuesday onward and 2026 in line to become the hottest year recorded.
- Why
- Persistent high-pressure systems, amplified by human-caused global warming and developing El Niño conditions, are intensifying heat extremes.
Key facts
- France heat wave alerts
- 5th of the season
- Forecast for southeastern France
- Up to 40°C (104°F) from Tuesday
- July sea surface temperature record
- 20.96°C (69.73°F)
- July global average air temperature
- 16.90°C (62.42°F) — joint second warmest July
- Western Europe June-July record
- 21.62°C (70.92°F), toppling 2022 record
- Hottest day ever in France
- June 23, 44.3°C (111.7°F) in the southwest
- Excess deaths in France in June
- At least 5,700
- People evacuated from wildfire
- 220,000 in southwestern France
Quotes
Samantha Burgess
Strategic lead for climate at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts
“"Persistent high-pressure systems trapped heat over western Europe, the extreme temperatures also amplified widespread drought. As soils dry out, they lose their ability to provide natural cooling, allowing heat to build more readily."”
telegraphindia.com








