Heatwave to end for most of France from Sunday

France's historic June heatwave is set to ease across most of the country from Sunday (June 28).

Forecasters said Atlantic air is finally pushing out the hot Saharan air mass that has fuelled days of exceptional temperatures, bringing relief to much of western and central France but also triggering severe thunderstorms.

Independent meteorologist Paul Marquis told Franceinfo that "we will no longer be talking about a heatwave from Sunday across three-quarters of the country".

The change comes after one of France's most intense June heatwaves on record, with temperatures widely reaching 35C to 40C.

The temperatures have placed emergency services under strain with 1,000 more deaths than usual recorded between Wednesday and Saturday. Read more here.

Temperatures to fall but more storms on way

The biggest change will be felt from Normandy to the Pyrenees, where afternoon temperatures on June 28 are expected to fall by 8C to 10C compared to previous days.

Even so, highs will remain above seasonal averages, reaching around 30C in Paris, 33C in Toulouse and about 27C in Lille.

However, the hot conditions will linger in eastern France. Temperatures could also still approach 40C around Lyon before storms develop later in the day.

The Atlantic coast will see the coolest conditions, with temperatures between 20C and 26C.

The arrival of cooler Atlantic air will also increase the risk of thunderstorms from the south-west and central France to the north-east.

Forecasters warn that storms could be locally severe, bringing hail, heavy downpours and winds of up to 100km/h. Localised flash flooding is also possible.

What is forecast for next week?

By Monday, the heatwave will also have ended across the Grand Est and Alsace regions, although conditions will remain hot, humid and unsettled.

The exception will be the Mediterranean coast, where temperatures of 35C to 40C are forecast from Roussillon to Provence as the southerly mistral and south-westerly tramontane winds develop.

Meteorologists warn that these dry winds will significantly increase wildfire danger throughout next week.

For much of France, however, next week is expected to bring more comfortable summer weather.

Night-time temperatures will fall enough in most regions to allow homes to cool again, while daytime highs will generally range from 25C to 29C across the north and 28C to 34C in the south.

Although another spell of very hot weather remains possible later this summer, Mr Marquis said it was unlikely to match the intensity of the June episode.

"The summer is only just beginning, unfortunately," he said, adding that temperatures of 39C or 40C could return in parts of France between late July and early August.