Unprecedented Heatwave Grips France
France is now going through one of its hottest early-summer heatwaves in history. On July 2, 2025, four areas are still at the highest danger level set by Météo-France. Also, more than 8,000 homes do not have electricity because of the extreme heat.
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Red Alert Lifted in Most Regions, But 4 Departments Remain at Risk
After days of very hot weather, Météo-France has lowered the red alert to orange in many places, including most of Île-de-France. But Aube, Yonne, Loiret, and Cher are still at red alert. These areas still have very high temperatures and nights are not cooling down. This is expected to last until 10 p.m. today.
55 Departments Still Under Orange Alert
There are still 55 departments with an orange alert. Out of those, 39 will likely stay on alert on Thursday too. These alerts are mostly for the central and eastern parts of France, such as Centre-Val de Loire, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Grand Est, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
Heatwave Disruptions: Power Failures and Health Emergencies
8,000+ Homes Without Electricity
At 8 a.m. today, Enedis said that more than 8,000 homes lost electricity. This is because underground cables got too hot and the power grid is too full. Areas affected include:
- Occitanie
- Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA)
- Île-de-France
- Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Health Risks Escalate
Two people have died because of the heat. In the past 24 hours, emergency services got more than 300 calls. Also, pollution levels went over the limit in Strasbourg, Lyon, and Dijon. The public has been warned to be careful.
School Closures Amid Soaring Temperatures
Because of the heat, over 2,200 schools were closed on Tuesday. Many of them used online learning instead. On Wednesday, 136 schools are still closed, mostly in the areas with the highest alert, like Centre-Val de Loire and Grand Est.
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Tropical Nights and Record-Breaking Daytime Heat
Suffocating Nights
In cities like Paris, Marseille, and Nice, it stayed very hot at night. The temperature did not drop below 25°C, which is called a “tropical night.”
Daytime Temperature Records Broken
New temperature records were made in some places:
- Cadenet (Vaucluse): 41.4°C
- Châteaumeillant (Cher): 41.2°C
- Nîmes-Garons (Occitanie): 40.8°C
Thunderstorms Bring Hope of Relief
Météo-France says that storms may come today in places like Brittany, Hauts-de-France, and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. These storms could help bring cooler air and better air quality.
Government Response
Emergency Measures Activated
The government has started emergency plans. Some of the actions include:
- Letting workers change their hours to avoid working in the hottest part of the day
- Stopping heavy work during peak heat hours
- Lowering speed limits in cities to reduce fire risks and pollution
Conclusion
Heatwave Emergency Still Ongoing in France
Even though storms may help and temperatures may fall, the heatwave is still a big problem in France. Four departments are still on red alert. Many homes have no power. The heat is still dangerous for people and buildings.