Red heatwave alerts extended until Wednesday with up to 41C forecast

Heatwave warnings have been increased to their highest level across France with high overnight temperatures and highs of up to 41C forecast for July 1.

In its morning bulletin, state forecaster Météo France placed 16 departments in central and northern France on a red alert for heatwaves (canicule), the maximum level. 

The departments facing red alerts are: Cher, Loiret, Indre, Loir-et-Cher, Indre-et-Loire, Aube, Yonne, Vienne, as well as the Île-de-France region.

Another 68 departments remain on a heightened tier-three alert. 

Current forecasts indicate that red-alert warnings will remain in place on July 2, although evening storms are expected to bring relief and lower temperatures. 

More than 1,350 schools are partially or fully closed, and heatwave plans have been put in place across essentially the entire country. 

In the Vienne department, a crisis plan has been activated to protect residents for the remainder of the heatwave.

You can read about what the changes come into place at a red warning level here.

Visits to the top of the Eiffel Tower have been cancelled until at least July 3, as a protective measure. 

In the Île-de-France region, speed limits have been lowered by 20 km/h on major roads, including the perimeter of the A86, as heat has caused a spike in pollution. 

Vehicles of a Crit’Air level 3 and above are restricted from driving on these roads between the hours of 05:30 and midnight.

The Paris police prefecture is recommending that residents limit their driving and work from home when possible. 

Tropical nights and highs of 41C 

One major reason for the increase in warnings was high overnight temperatures.

Most of the country saw temperatures remain at least 20C throughout the night. However, it was significantly higher in several areas.

At 23:00, temperatures remained at 32C in Paris and 31C in Toulouse and the Pyrénées. Parts of the Mediterranean remained at 29C throughout the night until around 05:00 on Tuesday morning. 

It came after a record-breaking day of heat, where cities across France equalled or surpassed their highest temperatures for June. 

This included Annecy (Haute-Savoie), Dinard (Ille-et-Vilaine) and Chambéry (Savoie), which beat current records, and Grenoble (Isère), Limoges (Haute-Vienne) and Cambrai (Nord), which equalled previous highs. 

Temperatures are set to reach up to 40C today in areas under a red-level warning, with potential highs of 41C. 

These temperatures are recorded in shaded areas, which means being in direct sunlight will feel significantly warmer. 

Urban heat will also contribute to a higher ‘feel’ of temperatures, meaning the capital and suburbs are at risk of extreme heat. 

How long will the heat last? 

Temperatures become more stifling as the days go on, as hot wind becomes trapped by a ‘heat dome’ across much of the country.

In cities, the heat builds up and collects, and homes constructed in usually cooler climates – designed to mainly retain heat – can become extremely warm. 

It means that Tuesday evening and Wednesday daytime will be the peak of the temperatures, as conditions will have been ongoing for several days. 

However, incoming storms will smash the heat dome, allowing cold air to enter and drop temperatures, either on Wednesday evening or Thursday morning. 

Red alert warnings are unlikely to continue into July 3. However, state forecaster Météo France only issues warnings one day in advance, so this cannot be confirmed until Wednesday morning.