France Heatwave: 13 Departments on Orange Alert Sunday Amid Rising Temperatures

France is bracing for continued high temperatures as a heatwave grips the nation. Thirteen departments, primarily in the Center-East and Southeast, are under an orange alert for heat on Sunday, with Météo-France forecasting peaks of up to 39°C in the South.

The Ain department will join the alert for strong heat starting Sunday noon. Other areas under the orange alert include the Alpes-Maritimes, Ardèche, Drôme, Gard, Haute-Savoie, Isère, Rhône, Savoie, Var, Vaucluse, and both departments of Corsica.

Saturday saw temperatures rise across the country, with Nîmes and Orange reaching 37.4°C, Aubenas at 35.7°C, and Le Luc at 35.9°C. While southern regions expect continued heat, some areas in the northeast will see rising temperatures. Sunday afternoon, however, brings a forecast for significant thunderstorms in the southwest. These storms could bring violent phenomena, including strong wind gusts, hail, intense rainfall, and heavy electrical activity.