Overview
- Forecasters from Météo‑France and La Chaîne météo say temperatures will begin rising from Monday, July 27, with the risk of a heatwave assessed as elevated from Wednesday.
- Models project daytime highs of 35–40°C across much of the country with local peaks to about 40–41°C in places such as Bordeaux and Tarbes and a likely temperature peak around August 2–3.
- Nighttime temperatures are expected to stay unusually high in the south, often above 20°C, which will reduce relief for vulnerable people and raise public‑health concerns.
- Large wildfires in Gironde and the Landes have forced mass evacuations and burned many tens of thousands of hectares, and the coming heat and drought are likely to increase fire spread and strain firefighting resources.
- Meteorologists note a fourth separate canicule this summer would be unprecedented in France and say many departments are likely to move to orange heat vigilance, triggering health and emergency measures; a canicule is defined as high day and night temperatures sustained for at least three days.