France's extreme heatwave begins its retreat as 37 departments remain on red alert and violent storms loom
The peak of the exceptional heatwave gripping France since mid-June is set to end on Sunday evening as cooler Atlantic air triggers violent thunderstorms, though extreme temperatures persist in the northeast.
The peak passes
France's record-breaking heatwave, which began on 17 June, is finally showing signs of retreat. Météo-France has downgraded 13 departments from red to orange alert as of Saturday morning, reducing the number on maximum vigilance to 37. The forecaster expects all red alerts to be lifted by 22:00 on Sunday evening, marking the end of the most intense phase of an episode that has pushed the healthcare system to its limits.
The heatwave is moving eastward over the weekend. Temperatures are falling but remain above seasonal averages.
Saturday's extreme heat shifts east
The worst of the heat is now concentrated in the Grand Est region and the Rhône valley, where temperatures are forecast to hit 41°C in Nancy, Strasbourg and Clermont-Ferrand on Saturday afternoon. Paris is expected to reach 38°C. The Bas-Rhin department recorded its first ever 40°C day in Strasbourg on Friday, while Moselle set a new absolute record of 39.8°C. "New temperature records could be broken in eastern France," warned Météo-France forecaster Christelle Robert.
In contrast, the Atlantic coast and Brittany are seeing temperatures drop below 30°C locally, with the weather service describing conditions as "more breathable" on the Channel coast and the Breton tip.
Thunderstorms erupt along the cold front
The arrival of cooler oceanic air from the west and northwest is acting as a trigger for violent storms. Thirty-four departments from the southwest to the north are under an orange thunderstorm warning. Météo-France describes the expected storms as "sudden and violent," accompanied by hail, intense rainfall and strong wind gusts that could exceed 80 to 100 km/h. The storm line is expected to sweep from Centre-Val-de-Loire through the Île-de-France region and up toward the Belgian border by Saturday night.
- 13 departments downgraded from red to orange alert; 37 remain on red alert
- Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Var downgraded to orange at midday
- Aisne, Ardennes, Aube, Cher, Eure-et-Loir, Indre, Loir-et-Cher, Loiret, Marne, Nièvre, Nord and Oise downgraded to orange
- Most northeastern red alerts lifted; only 24 departments expected to remain on red at daybreak
- Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin, the final two red-alert departments, downgraded to orange; all red alerts lifted nationwide
Healthcare system under severe strain
The prolonged extreme heat has placed immense pressure on hospitals and emergency services. The Île-de-France regional health agency triggered a "plan blanc" for all hospitals in the region, activating emergency protocols to cope with surging admissions. Health Minister Stéphanie Rist said on Friday that she expects further deaths in the coming days and voiced particular concern about fatalities occurring at home.
I expect there will be deaths in the days ahead.
Matignon warned that "hospital pressure will continue for several days."
The final descent by Sunday night
Météo-France's timeline shows the red alert count dropping to 24 departments on Sunday, with Île-de-France and the Grand Est remaining at the maximum level through the day. The last two departments under red alert, Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin, are to be downgraded to orange from 22:00. Temperatures in the northeastern quarter will stay high, reaching up to 37°C in the shade, while inland Provence could still hit 40°C. The nationwide lifting of all red alerts is expected late Sunday evening, marking the definitive end of the peak.
