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🇧🇪 Belgium /Environment & Climate

France Faces Extreme Heat as 35 Departments Enter Highest Alert Level

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Ongoing story
  • France is bracing for extreme heat, with 35 departments placed under the highest level of weather alert starting Sunday.
  • Météo France forecasts exceptionally high temperatures, potentially reaching 41 degrees Celsius in some regions.
  • The heatwave has led to the cancellation of numerous events, and the government is taking measures to manage public health risks.

France is preparing for a significant heatwave, with Météo France issuing its highest alert, "vigilance rouge" (red alert), for 35 departments starting Sunday midday. This includes the densely populated Paris region and large parts of western France. The national weather service warned that "strong heat is settling in durably across the country," predicting exceptionally high temperatures both day and night.

los fuertes calores se instalan de forma duradera en el país

— Météo FranceWarning about the persistent nature of the heatwave.

Maximum temperatures are expected to reach 39-40 degrees Celsius in regions like Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Île-de-France, and Burgundy, with isolated spots potentially hitting 41 degrees Celsius. These soaring temperatures follow a Saturday where some areas already experienced highs of 36-38 degrees. In addition to the 35 departments on red alert, another 45 will be under orange alert, indicating a high risk.

excepcionalmente elevadas tanto de día como de noche

— Météo FranceDescribing the intensity of the expected temperatures.

Météo France anticipates that the heatwave will continue and possibly intensify in some areas throughout the coming week. Monday is predicted to be even hotter than Sunday, potentially setting new national temperature records. The current daily average temperature record for France stands at 29.4 degrees Celsius, recorded in August 2003 and July 2019.

es probable" que la canícula continúe e incluso se agrave en ciertas regiones durante buena parte de la semana próxima.

— Météo FranceForecast for the continuation and potential worsening of the heatwave.

The extreme weather has already prompted the cancellation of dozens of sporting and cultural events, including concerts planned for the Fête de la Musique on Sunday. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu convened a crisis meeting, advising organizers to adapt their events and urging the public to limit alcohol consumption to prevent overwhelming health services. Prefects will have the authority to issue decrees prohibiting public alcohol consumption in an effort to mitigate health risks associated with the intense heat.

El récord de temperatura media en un día en Francia hasta ahora es de 29,4 grados y se ha alcanzado dos veces desde que existe ese cálculo, el 5 de agosto de 2003 y el 25 de julio de 2019.

— EFEProviding historical context for extreme temperatures in France.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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