France braces for heatwave starting Wednesday

France is bracing for another heatwave, with forecasters predicting a significant rise in temperatures starting Wednesday, June 17, 2026. This new episode is expected to be more intense and widespread than the "heat episode" experienced in late May, which did not meet the official criteria for a heatwave.

La Chaîne météo, a weather forecasting service, anticipates a generalized temperature increase across most of the country as a southerly flow brings warmer air from North Africa. Projections suggest that national temperature indicators could reach the official threshold for a heatwave, with daily averages exceeding 23.4°C for three consecutive days, and one of those days reaching 25.3°C.

Unlike the May event that primarily affected western, central, and southern areas, this June heatwave is expected to significantly impact central and eastern regions. Temperatures are forecast to surpass 30°C across much of France, with some areas in the southwest, central-east, and northeast potentially reaching or exceeding 35°C. Only coastal regions near the English Channel might experience more moderate temperatures due to oceanic influence. This heat could affect nearly 80% of the French population.