Millions across France woke on Tuesday soaked in sweat after yet another stifling night, as much of the country endured extreme, unprecedented heat.
Temperatures are expected to stay exceptionally high day and night, with Meteo France placing 54 departments, nearly half the nation, under a red heat wave alert.
With air-conditioning still rare in France, schools, transport services and sporting events continue to feel the strain, while roughly 20 drowning deaths have been recorded since the weekend.
Scientists link human-driven climate change to increasingly severe weather, and UN climate projections suggest the next five years will bring even more record-breaking heat.
“Sunshine continues to dominate across France, sustaining oppressive and exhausting heat nationwide,” Meteo France said. The agency expects the extreme conditions to persist at least through the end of the week, with many towns facing daytime highs above 40 degrees Celsius (104°F).
“More record-breaking temperatures are likely, including some that could surpass all previous levels, regardless of season,” the agency added.
The heat wave is unusually intense for this early in the summer and its duration remains uncertain. It is already being compared to the deadly August 2003 heat wave, which claimed an estimated 15,000 lives, many among elderly people living without air conditioning. France created a heat alert system in response to that tragedy.
French Sports and Youth Minister Marina Ferrari told France Inter on Tuesday that around 20 people had drowned since the weekend, urging those seeking relief in lakes and rivers to follow safety rules. A civil security spokesman had earlier reported 13 drowning deaths over the weekend.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is set to lead another crisis meeting on the heat wave with cabinet ministers on Tuesday morning.
Several French towns recorded their hottest day on record on Monday. Paris endured its hottest June night ever, with temperatures not dropping below 24.2°C (75.5°F). The capital also reached a new June high of 37.7°C (99.9°F) Monday afternoon.
“This will continue through the end of the week, with heat levels reaching unprecedented territory across more than three-quarters of the country on Wednesday and Thursday,” Meteo France said.
Air quality in Paris deteriorated as the heat triggered ozone formation that traps pollution. The regional air monitoring agency warned that pollutant levels were expected to exceed recommended limits.
With most buildings lacking air-conditioning, people tried to adjust. Education Minister Edouard Geffray said 1,352 schools closed on Monday due to the heat, while thousands more modified schedules, letting students out early or moving classes into air‑conditioned areas.
More than half the country was placed under a red heat alert on Monday, with forecasts calling for highs above 40°C and nighttime temperatures staying above 20°C.
Broadcast announcements on Paris public transport urged commuters to stay hydrated. Health experts cautioned that alcohol can be especially dangerous in extreme heat, and authorities imposed restrictions on drinking in public spaces.
Multiple drownings occurred as people flocked to rivers for relief, despite warnings about currents and other hazards.
Two children aged 2 and 4 died Monday in Carpentras after being found unconscious in their family’s car. Initial findings indicate they locked themselves inside. An investigation for involuntary manslaughter has been opened, and authorities reminded parents never to leave children unsupervised in vehicles.
Italy’s health ministry issued a red heat alert for 15 cities, including Milan and Rome, on Tuesday, rising to 16 on Wednesday. Under a red alert, people are advised to eat lightly, stay indoors during peak heat and cool themselves with water.
Heat warnings spread across Europe
In the United Kingdom, the Met Office issued a rare red warning for Wednesday and Thursday, predicting temperatures could exceed 37°C (99°F) in the shade and reach 40°C in parts of England and Wales.
The agency said the extreme heat could cause failures in heat-sensitive infrastructure, including power and mobile networks.
The World Health Organization’s Europe office reported this month that more than 200,000 people died from heat-related causes in Europe over the past four years, most of them preventable. Above‑average temperatures can lead to heat exhaustion and life‑threatening heat stroke.
The EU monitoring agency found that 2024 was the hottest year ever recorded globally and in Europe, which also saw its second-highest number of “heat stress” days.
Scientists warn that climate change is intensifying heat and dryness, particularly in southeastern Europe, heightening risks to health and increasing the likelihood of wildfires.
Climate change is driven by greenhouse gases released through burning gasoline, oil and coal, as well as deforestation, wildfires and emissions from various industrial activities.
