France issues orange heatwave alert for 26 departments as temperatures set to hit 40°C by Sunday
Météo France places 26 departments from Paris to the Alps under orange vigilance as temperatures are forecast to reach 40°C on Sunday, the summer solstice.
Orange alert for 26 departments
Météo France has placed 26 departments under orange heatwave vigilance, effective from midday on Thursday 18 June. The departments stretch from the Paris basin through the centre and east of the country to the northern Rhône-Alpes region. They include Paris, Seine-et-Marne, Yvelines, Essonne, Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis, Val-de-Marne, Val-d'Oise, Ain, Allier, Aube, Cher, Côte-d'Or, Doubs, Eure-et-Loir, Jura, Loiret, Haute-Marne, Nièvre, Puy-de-Dôme, Rhône, Haute-Saône, Saône-et-Loire, Haute-Savoie, Yonne, and Territoire de Belfort. The alert comes as the heatwave officially began on Wednesday, with the national thermal indicator reaching a provisional 23.6°C.
Temperatures set to soar
Temperatures have been climbing day by day. On Wednesday, several locations recorded highs above 37°C: Vinsobres, Lavaur and Saint-Côme-d'Olt all hit 37.3°C, while Agen reached 36.8°C and Bordeaux 35.2°C. Météo France forecasts between 34°C and 38°C across large parts of the country from Thursday to Sunday, with the peak expected on Sunday 21 June, the summer solstice and Fête de la musique. Forecaster Christelle Robert warned that several regions could see peaks of 40°C. For early next week, forecaster François Gourand said high temperatures will persist, with only a possible slight easing in the north by Tuesday.
- Vinsobres
- 37.3 °C
- Lavaur
- 37.3 °C
- Saint-Côme-d'Olt
- 37.3 °C
- Agen
- 36.8 °C
- Mont-de-Marsan
- 35.9 °C
- Bergerac
- 35.8 °C
- Bordeaux
- 35.2 °C
Perhaps next Tuesday there will be an easing of the heat, particularly in the northern regions, but it will remain an easing, the temperatures will stay warm and overall the trend for next week is very hot.
A 52nd heatwave linked to climate change
This is France's first official heatwave of 2026 and the 52nd since records began in 1947. According to Météo France climatologist Matthieu Sorel, the frequency is accelerating: 27 heatwaves have occurred in the past 16 years, compared to 25 in the previous 60 years. The heatwave is also early, arriving in mid-June, and is being driven by an omega blocking pattern that traps hot air from North Africa over western Europe.
Heatwaves that are more and more frequent, more and more numerous and also more and more intense are a clear sign of climate change.
- Heatwave officially begins. National thermal indicator reaches 23.6°C. Highs of 37.3°C recorded in several locations.
- Orange heatwave alert comes into effect for 26 departments.
- Temperatures forecast to peak at 40°C on the summer solstice and Fête de la musique.
- High temperatures persist. Possible slight easing in northern regions by Tuesday 23 June.
Exam disruption and rail cancellations
The heatwave is disrupting the baccalaureate exams. Education Minister Édouard Geffray announced that oral exams could be postponed locally by a few hours or a few days, and that no exams should take place in the afternoon. Train services have also been cancelled in some areas, though details were not specified. The written specialty exams held on Wednesday and Thursday are also affected.
Europe swelters too
The hot air mass, moving up from Spain, is affecting much of western and central Europe. Spain is expecting temperatures up to 40°C, and heat warnings are in place for the southern UK, Benelux, Germany, Switzerland and northern Italy. The anticyclone is expected to remain blocked, bringing dry, hot weather that may eventually reach Scandinavia and the Balkans in the coming days. Météo France says France will be at the heart of the anticyclone, making it the hottest country on the continent.
