Relief for France as temperatures set to fall after record heatwave
Forecasters said Wednesday was the hottest day ever recorded in the country, with the national temperature indicator – an average of day and night temperatures across 30 stations – reaching 30C.
The mercury peaked at 43.8C in Palluau, in the western Vendée department.
Météo-France said the first signs of a break in the heatwave were expected in the west, with stormy conditions on Thursday evening bringing a gradual drop in temperatures along the Atlantic coast on Friday.
Eleven departments were expected to be downgraded from red to orange alert from Thursday evening, although officials urged continued vigilance, particularly for older people, young children, outdoor workers and those living alone.
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Health Minister Catherine Vautrin appealed for people to check on isolated relatives and neighbours, saying small gestures could make a real difference during the crisis.
The prefecture of Pas-de-Calais reported three deaths that were likely to be linked to the heatwave, with the victims including an elderly man who had been working outdoors and two people who died at home and had medical conditions.
In Paris, Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire said the capital had seen an “increase in mortality” linked to the heatwave, without giving figures – adding that emergency calls, fire brigade interventions and hospital admissions were all at critical levels. French news reports show the heatwave peaking on 24 June.
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Strain on daily life
The extreme heat has put pressure on public services, workplaces and transport systems across Europe. Schools, offices and factories in several countries have struggled to remain open, while tourist sites including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Brussels' Atomium have closed early because of the conditions.
In France, the high temperatures have also triggered ozone pollution alerts in several northern, eastern and western departments, adding a further health risk for vulnerable residents.
Authorities have advised people to avoid strenuous outdoor activity, limit car use where possible and keep windows closed during the hottest hours.
Labour minister Jean-Pierre Farandou met with trade unions and employer organisations on Wednesday evening to discuss how workplaces should adapt during extreme heat. He proposed creating a joint working group in the autumn to improve preparations for future heat-related crises, including clearer protections for employees exposed to dangerous temperatures.
Wildfire risks are also rising. Haute-Garonne and Deux-Sèvres were upgraded on Wednesday to a “very high” forest fire risk, as dry vegetation and high temperatures created dangerous conditions.
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'The price to pay'
The heatwave has extended across Europe. The UK recorded its hottest ever June temperature on Wednesday – 36.1C in southern England – breaking a record set in 1976. Spain also broke its June heat record this week, while Italy placed 16 cities under red alert.
Across the continent, more than 94 million people were expected to experience temperatures above 35C, most of them in France and Spain, according to estimates based on weather forecasts and population data.
More than 350 million people – two-thirds of the continent's population – were expected to see temperatures above 30C.
Climate scientists say these repeated heatwaves are a clear marker of global warming. A study published this week found the current heatwave had been significantly worsened by human-induced climate change, without which temperatures would have been 2C to 4C cooler.