Aktuell · 22.06.2026 08:33
France Experiences a Historic Heatwave: 49 Départements Under Red Alert
France is in the midst of an exceptional heatwave. On Monday, 49 départements were placed under the highest alert level, "Vigilance Rouge"—the most ever since the warning system was introduced in 2004. Another 40…
France is in the midst of an exceptional heatwave. On Monday, 49 départements were placed under the highest alert level, “Vigilance Rouge”—the most ever since the warning system was introduced in 2004. Another 40 départements are under an orange warning. This means that now more than 90 percent of the French population is affected by a heat warning.
Temperatures are reaching extreme values in many places. In particularly affected regions, maximum temperatures are climbing to 40 to 42 degrees Celsius. Meteorologists even expect that the average daily high temperature nationwide could come close to the previous record of the hottest days ever measured in France.
Even the past days had already set new standards. While the previous record for red heat warnings was 20 départements during the summer of 2019, the expansion to 35 départements on Sunday was already considered exceptional. The newly reached number of 49 marks a new dimension.
Especially affected are areas from the Atlantic coast through the Centre-Val de Loire and Bourgogne regions to the greater Paris area, as well as parts of the Rhône Valley. There, the heat waves shimmer over roads and fields, while cities suffer from the stored heat.
For experts, one factor is particularly worrying: the nights bring hardly any relief. In many regions, temperatures do not drop below 22 degrees, with local values remaining between 23 and 26 degrees. Such so-called tropical nights put the body under continuous stress. Those who sweat during the day and find no relief at night quickly reach their limit.
The consequences are already visible in everyday life. Numerous schools have limited their operations or temporarily closed. Public transportation is also experiencing disruptions. Particularly in the greater Paris area, the high temperatures are causing problems on parts of the rail network.
The red alert level is not only aimed at the elderly or those with health issues. It signals danger to the entire population. Even healthy adults can suffer circulation problems or heat damage during prolonged exposure to heat. Therefore, authorities advise drinking enough water, avoiding physical exertion, and spending the hottest hours of the day in cool indoor spaces as much as possible.
The peak of the heatwave is expected on Monday and Tuesday. Afterward, meteorological services anticipate strong thunderstorms in some regions. These could bring gradual cooling but at the same time pose new dangers—including severe wind gusts, heavy rain, and hail.
It is also remarkable when this weather event is occurring. Such extreme heat used to mainly appear in July or August. The fact that France is already experiencing temperatures above 40 degrees in the second half of June is considered by many climate researchers to be another sign of a trend where extreme weather events occur more frequently and intensely. This current heatwave is likely to be remembered not only as a weather event but also as a climatic warning signal.
Author: C.H.