WEATHER
French weather forecaster Météo France has issued five new weather warnings for extreme heat this week, here’s what is forecast.
Published: 1 August 2022 09:09 CEST
Updated: 3 August 2022 11:17 CEST
France is in the grip of its third heatwave so far this summer. Photo by ROMAIN PERROCHEAU / AFP
Wednesday
Wednesday is expected to be the heat peak, with the heatwave expanding to cover almost the whole country, with the exception only of the coastline of northern France.
Early this Wednesday morning, the temperatures were already high, as Wednesday is set to be the peak of this heatwave in France. Temperatures will likely reach about 39C in Bordeaux, 38C in Montélimar, 37C in Limoges and 35C in Nancy.
Météo France’s map of heatwave alerts for France for Wednesday can be seen below:
Map of heatwave alerts. Credit: Meteo France
Significant portions of the country will see temperatures higher than 35C, with most ranging between 32 to 38C, while the southwest can expect temperatures around 39 to 40C.
As seen in the map above, 26 départements are currently placed on heatwave alert at the ‘orange’ level.
The departments on heatwave alert are: Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin, Territoire de Belfort, Haute-Saône, Doubs, Côte d’Or, Jura, Saône-et-Loire, Ain, Haute-Savoie, Loire, Puy-de- Dôme, Rhône, Isère, Savoie, Drôme, Vaucluse, Gard, Ardèche, Haute-Loire, Corrèze, Lot, Lot-et-Garonne, Tarn-et-Garonne, and Haute-Garonne.
Few parts of France will be spared from high nighttime temperatures of above 20C.
Although it will be extremely hot, Météo France is not predicting that any all-time temperature records will be broken. It is also expecting “the intensity and duration” of this heat wave “to be less than the previous episode” in mid-July.
Thursday
Though Thursday will still see some high temperatures, a cooler and more humid air mass, coming from the northwest, will move over the country. Temperatures specifically will remain high in the southeast until the end of the week.
????️ #VaguedeChaleur
What to expect for the next three days? pic.twitter.com/sOfHGMiaxW
— Meteo-France (@meteofrance) August 1, 2022
The north and east of the country is likely to see rainstorms on Thursday, which will help to bring temperatures down.
Friday
On Friday, the vast majority of France will see temperatures fall back below 30C, while the heat will persist in the southeast quarter.
Water restrictions
Virtually all of France – with the exception of Paris and some of its suburbs – is now under water restrictions as the drought continues.
Around a third of the country is on high-level restrictions which restricts domestic use of water.
MAP Where in France has water restrictions and what do they mean?
Wildfires
The hot, dry summer has also seen the outbreak of multiple wildfires across France, with two new blazes breaking out over the weekend.
MAP Where are the wildfires in France right now
Many local communes have adopted bans on barbecues and fireworks because of the risk of fire, while homeowners in certain areas are also required to make preparations at their property.
READ ALSO What to do and who to call if you see a wildfire in France