Macron calls for vigilance as western Europe faces second heatwave of year | Europe
More than half the population of France is under a severe weather warning as much of Western Europe suffers its second extreme heat event of the year, with temperatures expected to exceed 40C (104F).
The French president called for “extreme caution”, urging people to “care for our oldest and most vulnerable people” and follow government advice. “We are going through difficult times,” said Emmanuel Macron.
A 30-year-old man died of a heart attack at an athletics track near Paris on Thursday as temperatures reached 37 degrees. Rail operator SNCF canceled 71 intercity trains, while schools rescheduled exams.
Météo-France extended its orange heatwave warning to 60 of the country’s 96 mainland departments (home to about 41 million people) on Friday and Saturday, warning of a “widespread, prolonged and intense” heatwave.
The national weather service said several more departments may be added over the weekend and some warnings may be upgraded to red, the highest level. “In terms of duration and severity, this incident may be equal to that of August 2003,” he said.
The 2003 heatwave was the worst recorded in France, with temperatures above 40°C for almost two weeks. More than 14,800 people, mostly aged care home residents, have died, sparking a heatwave that the government aims to prevent a repeat of.
Although astronomical summer doesn’t start until Sunday, France is experiencing its second extreme heat event of 2026 after unusually warm weather in May shattered local and national monthly temperature records.
Météo-France said temperatures on Friday were likely to average 36C in the northwest and 39C in central and southern regions. After a slight drop on Saturday, temperatures are expected to rise to 40C in many regions, including Paris, early next week.
With much of the country affected, the national heat index — the average day and night temperatures recorded at 30 weather stations across the country — could approach record levels on Sunday and Monday, the agency said.
Four nuclear power plants are likely to cut output next week because the cooling water in the Rhône and Garonne rivers is unusually warm, energy utility EDF said. Meanwhile, many municipalities canceled Sunday’s Fête de la Musique festivities.
Aemet, a spokesman for Spain’s state meteorological office, said temperatures would reach 40°C as the country enters “a period of sustained high temperatures that are likely to meet the technical threshold for a heatwave.”
Rubén del Campo said temperatures will likely exceed 35°C in the Iberian peninsula and the Balearic Islands, rising to 40°C in the southern regions, including the Tagus, Guadiana and Guadalquivir valleys, as well as eastern Cantabria and the Ebro valley in the north.
The heatwave could continue until Wednesday or Thursday, after which temperatures are expected to drop. However, it may remain “very hot” across much of the country, with overnight lows above 25C in many areas.
Temperatures in southwestern Germany are forecast to rise to 36°C by the weekend, prompting authorities to issue heat warnings even at altitudes of 600 meters (2000 ft). The DWD weather service is also predicting severe thunderstorms and showers.
The agency advised people regardless of fitness level to avoid strenuous physical activity whenever possible and urged non-swimmers to be more careful after a number of drownings in hot weather.
A. Hitzefrei Friday was declared a (heat-free) day when classes were interrupted and students were sent home early due to uncomfortably hot school buildings.
