French long weekend forecast August 15–17: heatwave returns with highs of 42C
Current heatwave is now in its eighth day
The south-west continues to be particularly affected by the heatwave (pictured in Bordeaux)
JeanLucIchard / Shutterstock / Visactu
Temperatures of up to 42C are expected in several areas of France over the Assumption weekend as the current heatwave - now in its eighth day - reaches a second peak before retreating gradually towards the south.
Hot, dry winds from Spain and the Sahara will continue to affect the south-west and Mediterranean on Friday and Saturday, before a north-easterly breeze brings slightly cooler conditions to northern regions.
An exceptional total of 70 departments have been placed on high (orange) alert for heat on Friday, August 15, by state forecaster Météo-France.
This number is expected to fall to around 30 by Saturday evening as the heatwave passes its peak intensity.
Friday, August 15
Temperatures will rise sharply in the south-west, reaching 40C or more in parts of Aquitaine and locally up to 42C near Bordeaux (Gironde).
Similar highs are possible along the Mediterranean coast.
Brittany, which has so far avoided the worst of the heat, will see highs of up to 35C. Most other regions away from the northern Channel coast will reach at least 30C.
A few residual storms may occur near the German border but are expected to be brief and isolated. Overnight lows in the south-east may remain above 28C.
Saturday, August 16
Saturday will be the hottest day of this new spell in the south-west, particularly in the Garonne valley between Bordeaux and Agen, where 40C or more will be widespread.
Conditions north of the Seine will become less hot, with highs ranging from 24C to 35C and a light north-easterly wind offering some relief. Clear skies are forecast nationwide.
In the south and south-east, temperatures will range from 35C to 38C, with close to 40C possible near the Mediterranean.
Sunday, August 17
Temperatures will drop slightly on Sunday and are not expected to reach 40C even in the south-west.
Paris and the north are set to see temperatures return below heatwave thresholds and are unlikely to reach above 30C in the capital.
Areas south of Lyon (31C) and La Rochelle (30C) will see high temperatures – if not as high as elsewhere in the weekend – and clear skies will remain.
The western Mediterranean and Provence will see the highest temperatures of around 37C, with highs of 33C to 35C in Toulouse.
The Mistral and Tramontane winds will be strong, bringing some relief but also increasing the risk of wildfires spreading in the south.
