Overview

• Météo France has placed 12 departments from Charente-Maritime to Aude on red alert and issued orange warnings for 41 more regions
• Daytime highs frequently exceed 40°C across the red zones, reaching up to 42°C, and nighttime lows in many areas will hover above 20°C
• Mediterranean Sea surface temperatures are forecast to approach 30°C by week’s end, matching peaks last seen in August 2003
• Santé publique France advises regular hydration, avoidance of alcohol and coffee, and reduced physical exertion to prevent heat-related illnesses
• This marks France’s 51st recorded heatwave since 1947, and forecasters expect it to intensify, spread northward and persist for about ten more days