Extreme summer heat approaching: 17 departments issue orange alerts starting Saturday, temperatures could potentially exceed 41 degrees
Heatwave Hits France: A Persistent High-Pressure System Causes Prolonged Heatwave
France is currently experiencing a prolonged heatwave, marked by temperatures expected to reach up to 41 degrees Celsius in Bordeaux on Sunday. This is the second heatwave of the summer, and it's expected to continue into the start of next week.
The heatwave is caused by a high-pressure system that has stalled over France and Europe, compressing air and trapping heat at the surface. This system has also blocked cloud formation and precipitation, leading to clear skies and strong solar heating. The compression of descending air has further increased air temperatures, creating a self-sustaining cycle of rising hot air being forced down and compressed.
This heatwave is part of disrupted atmospheric circulation patterns, a phenomenon that scientists link strongly to anthropogenic climate change. Rising sea and surface temperatures, alteration of the jet stream flow, and increased greenhouse gas emissions have contributed to this heat dome’s formation and persistence.
The heatwave is currently an "orange alert," which means particular vigilance, especially for sensitive or exposed persons. Eleven departments from the South to the Centre of France are under this alert, with six additional departments (Lot, Aveyron, Loire, Isère, Drôme, and Ardèche) recently added to the list. Five departments (Hautes-Pyrénées, Haute-Garonne, Tarn, Tarn-et-Garonne, Rhône) were warned earlier about being affected by the alert from Friday noon.
Twenty-four other departments will remain on yellow alert this Friday, and 23 on Saturday, according to the meteorological site. The high temperatures are expected to tend to intensify and spread in the following days.
It's important to note that this heatwave is not an isolated event. July 2025 was ranked as the third warmest July ever measured on Earth, reflecting the ongoing change in the Earth's climate. As such, it's crucial for everyone to take precautions during heatwaves, especially the vulnerable members of our society.
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Weather forecasting models predict that the current heatwave in France will continue into the start of next week, with temperatures potentially reaching up to 41 degrees Celsius. The ongoing heatwave is linked to anthropogenic climate change, as disrupted atmospheric circulation patterns, rising sea and surface temperatures, and increased greenhouse gas emissions contribute to its persistence.
