- Since 1947, France has experienced 51 waves of heat, including 12 in August, according to data from Météo-France.
- The current episode, of great intensity, recalls by several aspects the historic heat wave of 2003.
- A phenomenon that may be trivialized because of global warming.
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Fires in France: summer 2025 of all dangers
A maximum alert. Since Friday, August 8, an exceptional heat wave has been installed on the country, raising the thermometer beyond 40 degrees in certain southwest regions. These Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 August, 12 departments are placed in red vigilance and 41 are on orange vigilance.
According to Météo-France (new window)this is the 51st heat wave since 1947, and the 12th in August. As a reminder, heat waves are characterized by abnormally high temperatures for several days, while heat waves, which last three days minimum, involve high day and night heat, and represent a health risk for fragile people.
Later waves of heat
Under the effect of global warming (new window)France records not only more heat waves, but these are also longer and intense. Between 1947 and 2000, 17 of these phenomena were identified by Météo-France, against 33 since the early 2000s.
Another striking trend: all early waves of warmth – that is to say, having occurred before the summer solstice – occurred in the 21st century. And if they arrive earlier, they also last longer. Normally concentrated between July 15 and August 15, they can now occur beyond. In mainland France, the first late wave listed dates from 2001. Since then, they have occurred eight times. The latest, from August 17 to 24, 2023, broke records, with a period of eight days.
An episode reminiscent of summer 2003
The current episode, by its duration and the intensity it should reach, is reminiscent of the heat wave of August 2003 (new window)the most intense and the longest since the start of the statements in 1947: 16 consecutive days of extreme temperatures. August 5, 2003 remains the second hottest day ever recorded in France. And summer 2003 is also the warmest ever observed … for now. The current summer period could well compete with this sad record.
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In 10 to 30 years, our summers could be “completely scorching”
According to the projections of Météo-France, in a France warmed at +4 degrees, this increase in temperatures could occur from the beginning of May and last until the end of September. The scorching number of days would be multiplied by ten, and the 40 degrees would become common value in many regions.
