France places 60 departments on orange heatwave alert, red possible

France placed 60 departments on orange heatwave alert on Saturday, with authorities warning that temperatures could rise further in the coming days and that some areas may be upgraded to the highest red alert level on Sunday. National weather agency Météo‑France said temperatures are expected to reach up to 39°C on Saturday, with highs of up to 41°C possible in some areas on Sunday. A red alert is being considered for parts of central and northern France as the country braces for an intense and long‑lasting heatwave expected to peak early next week.

Disruption and comparisons

The heatwave, which began on Thursday, has disrupted daily life, forcing schools, construction sites, and local authorities to adjust operations or temporarily close facilities. Forecasters warned that the episode could persist through much of next week and said its duration and severity could be comparable to the August 2003 heatwave, one of the deadliest weather events in modern French history. The extreme temperatures have also raised concerns over public events planned for the weekend, including France’s annual Music Festival (Fête de la Musique).