France activates new extreme heat emergency plan for weekend

France’s third major heatwave of the year will intensify across the country this weekend, with highs of 40C forecast on Saturday and extreme temperatures expected in almost all areas by Sunday. Twenty-four departments including Paris are already on red alert for heatwave on Saturday.

Temperatures given are those that will be measured in the shade.

The French government will implement a new version of its extreme heatwave plan from today in all departments that see red alerts implemented across the current heatwave.

The new measures - an update to existing emergency plans known as Orsec - were set during a crisis meeting last week.

They include the opening of refreshment and cooling centres across the country for vulnerable people - including elderly residents, those living alone, and homeless people - as well as increased health checks for people arriving at these temporary shelters.

A focus on both urban and rural populations will be made, with excess mortality rates during heatwaves higher for elderly town-dwellers higher than the rest of the population.

Additional funding for hospitals and care homes (EHPADS) to install cooling measures, and using La Poste workers to check on vulnerable people are also included, alongside existing heatwave plans.

Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon announced today that more than 6,000 air conditioning units have been delivered and installed at hospitals across France, out of a 30,000 promised by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu following major heatwaves earlier in the year.

Mr Lecornu will host another crisis meeting today with several cabinet members other both the heatwave and wildfires.

As the weekend progresses conditions are set to become more intense, as a combination of hot dry air and dried out soils combine to keep temperatures warm. 

High overnight temperatures are also a major issue – on Thursday (July 9) France broke its record overnight temperature, as the thermometer in Vivès (Pyrénées-Orientales) did not drop below 30.6C across the night.

Forecasters now predict that the heatwave will last until at least July 14, but potentially stretch to next weekend (July 18). Current models see the south-east facing the heatwave for the longest period.

The intense heat coincides with one of the busiest weekends of the year on French roads, as millions head off for summer vacation. Traffic watchdog Bison Futé has issued ‘black’ warnings, the highest possible, in several regions on Friday and Saturday.

Below is a three-day forecast covering the weekend period.

Friday July 10 

A calm start to the morning quickly sees high temperatures settle in across France, combining with plentiful sunshine in the north. 

Up to 94% of the French population will experience temperatures of 30C or above today, with 53% set to see highs of 35C or more. 

Temperatures of 37C - 38C are forecast in Paris and much of central France, rising to 40C along the western coast. 

As of 08:00, nine departments in western France and Brittany have been placed on a red alert for heatwave (canicule) by state forecaster Météo France.

The warnings come into force from midday, and will put local authorities on the highest level for local heatwave plans. This will include frequent checks of vulnerable residents on departmental heatwave registers - see how to sign up for these at this link. 

A series of storms moving in from the Pyrénées to the Massif Central and Alps will bring rain but not a drop in temperatures in these areas.

Overnight temperatures of 20C or above, rising to 24C in the south-west are forecast, meaning little relief from the heat in the warmest areas. 

Saturday July 11 

Saturday will be another extremely hot day, with temperatures reaching 30C across all areas of France except the Norman coast. 

While highs of 40C are expected across the west throughout the weekend, areas in the north and east will also see temperatures increase, with several areas experiencing highs of 35C or above. 

A new round of storms from Brittany to the Alps, streaking across central and southern France, will again fail to drop temperatures but swirl in humid and muggy skies. 

Currently, Météo France has placed 24 departments on red alert for heatwave on Saturday, but this is subject to change as conditions progress over the weekend. You should check the official site for up-to-date information. 

These red alerts will spread along the Loire river and across central France, as far east as Paris. 

Overnight temperatures will continue to climb in several areas – south of Bordeaux - Lyon (and in these two cities) temperatures are not expected to drop below 25C, and in some cases remain at 26C or above across the entire weekend.

Sunday July 12 

There will be little change in conditions on Sunday, as the heatwave continues to intensify and spread further east. 

All areas of the country save for Perpignan, the Norman coastline, and Corsica are expected to face significant temperatures, in most places at 35C or above. 

Météo France has not yet released official alerts for Sunday (it does so only one day in advance) but it is expected that many departments see red alerts implemented. 

Following a revision of weekend conditions, some forecasters now predict Sunday will be the hottest day of this heatwave period. 

La Chaîne Météo, owned by Le Figaro, is forecasting a national average temperature of 29.2C on Sunday, 1C higher than Saturday and slightly above conditions at the start of next week. 

This is only 0.2C below pre-2026 records, but will fail to reach the heights of the June heatwave, which saw three days at temperatures above levels expected on Sunday. 

It is difficult to provide an accurate forecast of temperatures next week, however early forecasts point to temperatures remaining at around Sunday’s level until Tuesday or Wednesday (July 14/15). 

A bout of rain across much of north and west France will help lower temperatures in these areas, although they will remain above average for the season until at least the weekend. 

Note that a cloudy start to the week may make time spent outdoors more bearable than the weekend (official temperatures are recorded in the share so being under direct sunlight can feel much warmer).