Heatwave to peak over France's July 14th weekend, government activates emergency plan

France is set to experience the peak of a significant heatwave this weekend, coinciding with the July 14th national holiday. Temperatures are forecast to soar between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius across most of the country by the afternoon, prompting the government to activate an unprecedented Orsec 'extreme heat' plan starting Friday.

Saturday is expected to see dominant sunshine in many areas, though clouds may develop in the afternoon in southern and western regions. Isolated thunderstorms are anticipated in the Massif Central and the Alps. Temperatures will remain very high, generally ranging from 35 to 38 degrees Celsius, with coastal areas near the English Channel and Belgium offering slight respite.

The heat is forecast to intensify further on Sunday, with temperatures climbing an additional notch. Overnight lows will be between 20 and 23 degrees Celsius, while daytime highs will continue to hover between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius. Sunshine is expected to prevail across most of the nation, although localized heat-driven thunderstorms could occur in mountainous regions or along the Atlantic coast.

Looking ahead to Monday, the heatwave is expected to persist, bringing increasingly heavy air, especially in the west. Thunderstorms may develop along the Atlantic coast by the end of the day. Elsewhere, sunshine will alternate with harmless clouds, and the heat will remain oppressive, with temperatures reaching 35 to 38 degrees Celsius in many regions. By Tuesday, July 14th, the national holiday, sunshine will mix with developing clouds, potentially leading to scattered showers and thunderstorms, particularly in an axis stretching from the west-central regions through the Paris basin to the Ardennes.