France braces for new heatwave this weekend: highs of 35C in south-west
Conditions will last until middle of next week with western coast seeing temperatures 10C above average for season
Heatwave warnings may be raised if temperatures remain high for several days
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Highs of 35C are forecast for this weekend in France – potentially reaching near 40C in some areas – with a new heatwave expected across the country.
It comes after a midweek fall in temperatures across France, which have fallen below national averages.
The presence of a high-pressure system from the Azores, currently in place over southern France, will extend to most of the country from Friday (June 12) onwards.
The system brings with it a burst of hot wind from Spain and North Africa that will settle across the country, becoming a leading factor behind the significant increase in temperature.
It also provides calm and clear skies, conditions ripe for the increased temperatures to take maximum effect.
It was a leading factor behind May’s historic heatwave, and will cause another ‘heat dome’ to cover the country.
How hot will it get, and for how long?
Temperatures will begin to increase on Friday (June 12) as the Azores high dominates the country and pushes back clouds that have been peppering the north throughout the week.
In the south, temperatures will reach between 25C - 30C, potentially up to 33C in Hérault/Gard.
In the north, highs of 19C - 24C are possible.
By Saturday this will increase, with highs of 22C - 26C in the north. Parts of the Loire Valley may even see highs of 30C, particularly around Nantes.
In the south, temperatures will climb further. While the south-east will remain at around 26C, elsewhere temperatures will run from 29C - 34C.
Early forecasts for Sunday see temperatures drop slightly in the far north and east, but between the Loire and Seine rivers another temperature jump is forecast.
In the south, temperatures of 35C are possible in the inland areas of Occitanie and Nouvelle-Aquitaine, potentially reaching close to 40C according to some meteorologists.
Western areas will see temperatures around 10C above averages for the season, and national average temperatures will reach around 4C above that typical for mid-June.
Conditions will remain in place until next Wednesday or Thursday (June 17/18), with conditions becoming progressively muggier and heavy with the heat.
Powerful storms will break the heat dome, leading to a temperature drop.
Residents in the south-west may see heatwave warnings (canicule) appear over the next week.
These are issued when both day- and night-time temperatures reach above a certain threshold (calculated based on typical temperatures for the season) for three days and nights.
Temperature thresholds differ based on the department’s geography.
