France records hottest day since records began during severe heatwave

France has recorded its hottest day ever as a severe heatwave pushed temperatures above 40°C (104°F) across large parts of the country, breaking all-time records and worsening drought and fire risks, according to the country’s meteorological agency.

The national weather agency, Meteo-France, said Tuesday was the hottest day ever recorded in France, with an average temperature of 29.8°C (85.6°F) across the country. That surpassed the previous national record of 29.4°C (84.9°F), set on July 25, 2019, and August 5, 2003.

The heatwave, which began on June 17, has reached “exceptional” levels and is expected to last until at least Thursday. Météo-France said many departments remain under red or orange heatwave warnings, with temperatures expected to remain near 40 to 42°C (104 to 108°F) in some areas.

The highest temperature reported Tuesday was 44.3°C (111.7°F) in Pissos, in the Landes department of southwestern France. Provisional records were also set in several cities and towns, including 42.1°C (107.8°F) in Bordeaux, 41.6°C (106.9°F) in Angers, 41.3°C (106.3°F) in Rennes and 40.3°C (104.5°F) in Caen.

Météo-France said maximum temperatures above 40°C (104°F) were recorded across about 20% of the country between Monday and Wednesday, with numerous all-time records broken along the western coast and in western France.

The night from Monday to Tuesday was also the hottest ever recorded in metropolitan France, with an average minimum temperature of 21.6°C (70.9°F).

The agency said similar conditions are expected to continue in the coming days, with overnight temperatures in warning areas forecast to reach 23 to 28°C (73 to 82°F) from Tuesday night into Wednesday.

A significant drop in temperatures could bring relief to western France on Sunday, but Météo-France said the forecast remains uncertain and would not necessarily mean the end of the heatwave, with hot air expected to persist in the east.

The heatwave is comparable in severity to the August 2003 heatwave, according to Météo-France, though uncertainty remains over how long the current episode will last. The 2003 heatwave lasted 16 days.

The agency said soil drought has become entrenched across France and is worsening daily. As of Monday, soil conditions were approaching their driest levels ever recorded in Alsace, Aquitaine, Auvergne, Limousin and Midi-Pyrénées, similar to major drought events since records began in 1959.

The prolonged heat and lack of rain have also increased the risk of crop, brush and forest fires. Nearly 30 departments are listed at high danger, with some areas expected to reach the highest danger level as early as Wednesday for the first time this season.

Météo-France said the heatwave is the 52nd recorded in France since 1947, with two-thirds of those occurring since the start of the 21st century. Half of all recorded heatwaves in France have occurred since 2010.