Paris – 25.05.2026: On the night between Sunday and Monday new heat records for the month of May were measured in the western French cities of Lorient, Quimper and Nantes. These extraordinary temperatures are part of a nationwide heat wave affecting also the western regions of France.
According to Météo-France, 30.6°C were recorded in Quimper, 30.4°C in Lorient and 30.2°C in Nantes. These values clearly exceed the previous maximum May temperatures and are unusually high for the region.
The current heat wave is particularly intense and early. Météo-France therefore issued a “Yellow Heatwave Alert” for 13 western departments, including Finistère, Morbihan, Ille-et-Vilaine, Mayenne, Sarthe, Loir-et-Cher, Indre-et-Loire, Maine-et-Loire, Loire-Atlantique, Vendée, Deux-Sèvres, Vienne, and Charente. This is the first time that this type of alert has been issued in May since the system was introduced in 2004.
The high temperatures are already having effects on various areas of public life. For example, due to the heat, several people were hospitalized during sports events. In Maisons-Alfort, a city near Paris, 14 people, including ten in critical condition, were taken to hospital after a race.
Experts attribute the current heat wave to a meteorological phenomenon called the “Omega Block.” This is a stable high-pressure zone that traps warm air masses over large areas of the country, causing unusually high temperatures.
Authorities recommend that the population, especially in the affected regions, take precautionary measures. This includes staying in the shade during the hottest hours of the day, drinking sufficient fluids, and avoiding physical exertion.
These extraordinary temperatures also raise questions about climate change. Climate scientists emphasize that heat waves of this kind could become more frequent if global temperatures continue to rise.
The current weather conditions and related alerts are valid for now until the end of the week. It is advised to closely follow local weather forecasts and authorities’ guidance.
Dieser Artikel wurde mit Hilfe künstlicher Intelligenz erstellt.