Saharan Heat Wave Sweeps France, Temperatures Set to Soar Above 40°C

Since Tuesday, August 15, 2023, orange vigilance is already in place in five departments in the East - Ain, Rhône, Haute-Savoie, Savoie and Isère. And according to La Chaîne Météo, the phenomenon should spread to three-quarters of the country.

This heatwave, described by La Chaîne Météo as "the most significant of the summer of 2023", will manifest itself with peaks that can reach 40°C during the day, while the minimums should not drop below 17°C to 22°C in the major cities. However, if its intensity is strong, its duration will be less: it should span from Friday, August 18 to Monday, August 21. The northwest quarter of the country should, however, benefit from relative clemency with maximum temperatures between 25°C and 29°C.

Even if France will probably not reach the Saharan records - the national record remains 46°C in Vérargues in 2019.