France is currently experiencing an extraordinary heatwave, with record high temperatures for May. On Saturday, May 23, 12 towns and cities across the country reported temperatures surpassing 30°C. Forecasters predict that the hottest days are yet to come.
Record Temperatures Across France
Several cities recorded remarkable highs, including:
- La Rochelle: 33.8°C
- Fontenay-le-Comte: 33.7°C
- Bordeaux: 32.8°C
This unprecedented heatwave is one of the most significant late-May occurrences in over a century. For the first time this year, Paris exceeded 30°C, reaching 31.9°C. New monthly records were predominantly set in western regions such as Vendée, Maine-et-Loire, and Brittany.
May Heatwave Alerts and Predictions
The heatwave has led to the first yellow-level canicule alert for May, with Finistère being the first French department to receive this warning since the system’s initiation in 2004. Forecasters expect temperatures of up to 32°C in Brest and 33°C in Quimper on Sunday afternoon.
As the heat intensifies, Météo-France may issue alerts for additional departments. A robust anticyclone spanning from North Africa to the British Isles is responsible for trapping hot air over France.
Unusual Overnight Temperatures
Alongside daytime highs, overnight temperatures are also becoming abnormally warm. In Normandy, the minimum temperature in Livry, Calvados, reached 20.6°C, surpassing the previous May record from 2017 by nearly three degrees. Such conditions are expected to persist, especially in urban areas where the “heat island” effect keeps temperatures elevated.
Forecasts indicate that minimum temperatures in some western cities and the Paris region may remain between 18°C and 20°C at night, nearing tropical night levels typically seen in mid-summer.
Continued Hot Weather Ahead
Between Monday and Tuesday, the hottest conditions are expected nationally. Temperatures in many western and southwestern regions will likely range from 31°C to 35°C through midweek. Gradual cooling is anticipated in northern regions starting Thursday.
As the heatwave progresses, it raises concerns about heat-related health risks and impacts on local ecosystems. Authorities and communities are urged to stay informed and take necessary precautions during this prolonged period of heat.
