Heatwave: France Experiences Record-Breaking Temperatures
Poinews.com – France is grappling with an intense heatwave that has persisted for almost a week, pushing several regions to extreme conditions. As of Tuesday, June 23, 54 départements have been placed under a red alert, impacting nearly 39 million residents. The unprecedented warmth has already shattered 450 temperature records on Monday, with the national average hitting 29.2 °C. This marks the third-highest temperature recorded in the country’s history.
Extreme Heat in Key Cities
Record-breaking heat has been reported in multiple urban centers. In Cher, temperatures soared to 43.3 °C, while Paris saw its June record exceeded with a high of 38.4 °C. Other cities, such as Rennes, Angers, Saintes, and Bordeaux, also set new highs, reaching 40.6 °C, 40.9 °C, 42 °C, and 41.9 °C respectively. The heat is expected to intensify, with Paris potentially surpassing 40 °C by midweek.
“Temperatures thus did not fall below 22.8 °C in Alençon, 23.2 °C in Saint-Nazaire, 23.4 °C in Tours and Blois, 24.6 °C in Poitiers, and 24.9 °C in Cholet. A minimum temperature of 24.2 °C was recorded at Paris-Montsouris,” stated Météo-France.
Warm Nights and Crisis Response
The heatwave has not only affected daytime temperatures but also disrupted nighttime cooling. From Sunday to Monday, regions like Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Pays de la Loire, and Centre-Val de Loire recorded minimum temperatures previously unseen at any time of year. In response, an additional interministerial crisis unit will be led by Sébastien Lecornu on Tuesday, following a similar unit established earlier in the week.
The severe weather has already claimed lives. On Monday, two children were discovered deceased in their family car after being locked inside. The day prior, three elderly individuals died at home in Gironde. Water-related incidents also contributed to fatalities, with Civil Protection reporting 13 drownings across the country over the weekend.
