- France experiences its hottest day on record, with temperatures reaching 43.8°C (110.8°F) in Palluau, marking the highest since measurements began in 1947.
- Europe is grappling with an unprecedented heat wave, driven by an upper-level ridge of high pressure, causing temperatures to run well above average.
- Over 100,000 people in northwestern France have been left without power due to infrastructure issues, with the outage affecting 68,000 households in Ergue-Gaberic.
- Extreme heat is melting national records across Europe, with more record-breaking temperatures expected in the coming days.
- Hundreds of schools across parts of Europe have shut down as the heat wave continues, with around 6,000 schools in France closing or adapting their schedules.
- Heat-related deaths have been reported, with at least 42 people drowning in France this week as many sought relief from the extreme temperatures.
France is grappling with an unprecedented heat wave, recording its hottest day on record with temperatures soaring to 110.8°F (43.8°C) in Palluau. This extreme weather has left over 100,000 people without power in northwestern France, particularly affecting the commune of Ergue-Gaberic, where 68,000 households lost electricity.12367
The heat wave, driven by a high-pressure ridge, has resulted in record-breaking temperatures across Europe, with parts of Spain also experiencing similar extremes. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu reported that 42 people have drowned in the past week as citizens flocked to water bodies to escape the heat. He described the situation as a 'tragic scourge.'45
In response to the heat, around 6,000 schools in France have closed or adapted their schedules, and sales of fans and air conditioners have surged, with supermarket Carrefour reporting a 1,000% increase in sales on Tuesday. The public health authority has noted that heat-related deaths are challenging to track, but historical data indicates that extreme heat can lead to significant fatalities.81112
As the heat wave continues, officials are urging caution, especially for vulnerable populations, as the country braces for more record-breaking temperatures in the coming days.
“France has recorded its hottest day since 1947, with temperatures soaring amid an unprecedented heat wave across Europe. The extreme conditions have left over 100,000 people without power as the continent grapples with record-breaking temperatures.”
