France heatwave: Paris and western regions on alert

Paris and western France have been placed on heatwave alert by the French weather service as an unusually early spell of hot weather pushes temperatures above 30C across much of the country.

Météo-France extended its yellow (high) alert for heat to 18 departments on Monday, May 25, including Paris and the inner suburbs, describing the episode as “highly unusual” for late May.

Highs of 30C to 35C were forecast across much of northern France on Monday, with up to 36C expected in the south-west and Rhône Valley. 

Temperatures also remained unusually high overnight, staying above 20C in many areas.

Several heat records for May have already been broken in Brittany. 

At 06:00 on Monday, Lorient recorded 20.1C, almost three degrees above the previous May record set in 1953.

Quimper reached 20.5C overnight, while Nantes recorded 21C, surpassing a record dating back to 1947.

Météo-France said the heat was being caused by a “heat dome” stretching from Morocco across the Iberian peninsula into France, trapping hot air under a powerful anticyclone.

Heat alert in Paris and west of France

The yellow heatwave alert covers Paris, Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis and Val-de-Marne, along with parts of Brittany, the Loire region and western France including Loire-Atlantique, Vendée and Charente.

Forecasters warn that the episode could become historic for the time of year, especially in western France, where temperatures are 10C to 15C above seasonal averages.

The agency said the heat would continue at least until Thursday, with only a gradual cooling expected in northern areas later in the week. Western and south-western regions could remain very hot into the weekend.

Medical authorities and emergency services have also issued warnings over outdoor sport and exercise during the hottest part of the day.

A man in his 50s died during a running event in Paris on Sunday, while around 10 runners in a race in Val-de-Marne were hospitalised in critical condition after suffering heat-related illness. More than 100 runners required treatment during a marathon in Royan.

Beaches and health warnings

The hot weather has also brought crowds to Atlantic beaches, where two people drowned in Gironde due to strong currents over the weekend. 

Local authorities said more than 30 people had been caught in the currents since Friday.

Forecasters also warn that the heat could trigger thunderstorms, particularly across the Auvergne region and the Alps, bringing a risk of heavy rain, hail and gales.

People are advised to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activity during peak afternoon heat and check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours.