Météo-France expects a new heat wave to hit much of France starting Tuesday, July 28 [3].
This weather event marks the fourth heat wave of the summer [6]. The recurrence of extreme heat increases the risk of wildfires and puts significant strain on public health infrastructure across Western Europe.
According to Météo-France, temperatures are expected to range between 35°C and 40°C [2]. The service said temperatures could specifically reach 40°C [1]. The heat is expected to affect a wide geographic area, stretching from the southwest of the country to the Paris basin, including the Loire-Atlantique region [2, 4].
Meteorological models indicate that a high-pressure ridge is pushing hot air masses over the region. This atmospheric setup creates conditions that are unfavorable for fire-fighting efforts [5, 6]. While some reports suggest the heat will arrive on Wednesday, Météo-France forecasts the start for Tuesday, July 28 [3].
The heat wave is expected to last several days before subsiding by the following Sunday [3]. The national meteorological service said France will be hit by a fourth canicule in the coming days [6].
Local authorities in affected regions are monitoring the situation as the high-pressure system settles over the hexagon. The intensity of the heat is expected to be felt most acutely in the southwest, and the northern basins [2].
“Les températures pourraient notamment atteindre 40 °C.”
The arrival of a fourth major heat wave in a single season suggests a volatile summer pattern characterized by repeated extreme thermal events. This frequency complicates disaster management, as firefighting resources are depleted and the ground remains dry from previous waves, increasing the likelihood of uncontrollable wildfires across the French countryside.
