France Faces Another Severe Heatwave with Temperatures Above 40°C

Paris – 15.06.2026: France is facing a new, intense heatwave that is believed to have started on June 13, 2026. This follows the earliest and most severe heatwave recorded in May of this year. Southern France is particularly affected, where temperatures above 35°C are expected. In cities like Toulouse and Bordeaux, they could even reach 41 to 42°C. Over the course of the week, the heat will spread northwards, so that around June 20 in Paris temperatures up to 39°C are possible.

The heatwave is caused by a high-pressure system over Western Europe that brings hot air masses from North Africa. Besides France, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Ireland are also affected by the high temperatures. Experts point out that such early and intense heatwaves could become more frequent due to climate change. They warn of an increased risk of further heat extremes, wildfires, and droughts by 2050 or 2100 if current climate protection measures are not intensified.

Especially in the southern regions near the Spanish border, temperatures up to 40°C are expected. In the north, including Paris, daytime highs could rise to up to 39°C during the weekend of June 20, while the seasonal average is about 23°C. In addition, “tropical nights” are forecast in many places, with nighttime temperatures not falling below 20°C. Such conditions hinder nighttime recovery and increase health risks, especially for the elderly, children, and people with chronic illnesses.

The heatwave coincides with the national Abitur exams, adding extra stress for many students. Measures by the authorities include warnings about high temperatures in several southern departments. The public is urgently advised to follow precautionary rules: to drink sufficient fluids, stay in cool rooms, and avoid physical exertion especially during the hottest hours.

In the long term, specialists recommend adaptation strategies that can help mitigate the effects of heat. These include greening cities, creating green roofs, and thermal renovation of buildings. These measures could help reduce the impacts of intensified heat periods and improve the quality of life in the affected regions.

Given this extreme weather situation, Météo-France continues to call for caution. Authorities emphasize the importance of following health service recommendations to prevent health problems. The coming week will show how well the population can adjust to the renewed heat stress and what impacts this will have on infrastructure and the environment.