South-west France sizzles: 23 departments on ‘orange’ heatwave alert

Twenty-three French departments - mainly in the south-west - have this afternoon (June 15) been placed on ‘orange’ alert for heatwaves.

They are mostly located in the south-west and along the west coast, stretching up to Pays de la Loire. There are also two departments from the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, Ardèche and Drôme on orange alert.

Weather service Météo-France updated its heatwave warning map at 16:00 today. Before, 12 departments were on yellow alert for heatwaves.

You can keep informed of heatwave alerts in your department at this link.

Read more: How hot will France’s heatwave be and how long will it last?

Read more: Explainer: France’s ‘heatwave plan’ and how it may affect residents

France is heading for a week of record-breaking temperatures that could climb to over 40C in places.

The peak of the wave is expected between Thursday and Saturday, with temperatures varying around the country but likely at some stage to surpass 30C everywhere.

In the north, for example, temperatures are expected to break the 30C barrier from Friday.

The highest temperatures will be in the south, south-west and west of the country, where they could reach up to or even exceed 40C.

Overnight, temperatures are likely to remain 20C or higher in many places.

Météo-France describes the heatwave as “remarkable” for how early in the year it is, saying that it could become the earliest heatwave in France measured on a national level since recordings began in 1947.

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