Overview

• The heatwave reached its apex on June 21, with temperatures climbing to 39°C in areas from Val de Loire to Occitanie
• Météo France maintained orange alerts in 16 western and central departments as thermometers stayed well above seasonal averages
• Local officials shifted waste collection to evening hours and called off outdoor festivals to protect residents during the hottest hours
• EDF warned that elevated Rhône River temperatures may force reductions in nuclear output at its Bugey facility
• This unusually early and intense event, driven by a blocking anticyclone, highlights broader warming trends as France has warmed 1.7°C since the preindustrial era