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France Places Over Half Its Regions Under Red Heat Alert as Temperatures Near 42C
Météo-France placed more than half of France's regions under its highest-level red heat warning on 22 June 2026. Schools closed and rail services were cut as highs above 40C were expected across western areas.
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More than half of France's regions were placed under red heat alerts on 22 June 2026, the highest of four warning levels issued by Météo-France. Highs above 40C were forecast across parts of western France, with 42C expected in Bordeaux. The French education ministry ordered 845 schools to close and allowed another 1,800 to end classes early.
More than one million high-school students were still scheduled to sit oral baccalaureate exams during the heatwave. Thirteen people drowned at unsupervised lakes and rivers over the preceding weekend, prompting government warnings against swimming in such areas. Three deaths of people aged 80 to 95 in the Gironde region on 21 June were also linked partly to the heat.
SNCF advised vulnerable passengers to avoid or postpone travel, while several Paris train lines reduced services. An estimated 63 million people across France were covered by heat alerts of some level. Red alerts also took effect on 22 June in Germany and Switzerland, with Luxembourg following on 23 June.
Belgium's rail operator cancelled some peak-hour trains for 22-23 June as record temperatures were forecast. Spain's Aemet service warned of temperatures 5-10C above seasonal norms until 24 June and issued a red alert for the Basque Country, where San Sebastian was forecast to reach 40C. Madrid was expected to hit 39C on 22 June.
The UK's Met Office issued a red warning for parts of England and Wales on 24-25 June, with possible peaks of 38C. Rome was forecast to reach 37C. Hot air moving north from the Sahara was driving the conditions, with temperatures across much of Europe expected to peak on 24 June.
Météo-France said 34 of the 51 heatwaves recorded in France since 1947 have occurred since 2000. Health Minister Stéphanie Rist stated that many citizens would suffer during the heatwave and urged people to monitor relatives and neighbours. An alcohol ban was imposed at the Fête de la Musique festival over the weekend of 20-21 June.
