France's 16-day heatwave ranks as third longest on record

France has endured its third-longest heatwave since records began in 1947, with the latest episode lasting 16 consecutive days from July 4 to July 19. This prolonged period of extreme heat has had significant consequences, exacerbating wildfire risks and straining water resources.

The recent heatwave matches the duration of previous intense periods in 2003, 2018, and 2025. However, it falls short of the two longest heatwaves on record: July 1983, which lasted 23 days, and July 2006, which spanned 21 days. Météo-France defines a heatwave as an episode of temperatures significantly above normal for several consecutive days.

This year's heatwaves began unusually early, with the first occurring at the end of May, the earliest on record. A second heatwave in late June was particularly aggressive, breaking daily and nightly temperature records and surpassing the intensity of the 2003 event. During that June-July period, France registered over 5,764 excess deaths compared to average figures for the time of year, though this is still below the more than 13,000 deaths recorded in August 2003.

As a result of the scorching weather, France has already seen more than 44,000 hectares consumed by wildfires this year, a figure substantially higher than for the same period in 2025, which was itself considered an exceptional year for fires. This trend raises concerns about a potentially record-breaking wildfire season. Furthermore, according to the French Geological and Mining Research Office (BRGM), as of July 1, 54% of France's aquifers and water reserves were below their normal monthly levels.