This week’s news is dominated by a new heat wave, the 4th and most important of this summer. It promises to be lasting, spreading to almost the entire country. This heat wave aggravates the drought and further increases the risk of wildfires.
This heat wave is linked to an anticyclone which is blocking the British Isles, bringing up very hot air from Morocco. Thus, France will find itself at the heart of this heat dome, with exceptionally high temperatures and a blazing sun.
A hot week, a drought that continues to worsen
Monday, the strongest heats concern the south-west and the south-east of the country, with temperatures above 35°C during the day. Elsewhere, after an already very mild start to the morning (between 16 and 24°C from north to south), we will find between 30 and 34°C most often. On the sky side, except for a few high clouds flying over the Atlantic coast and a few large cumulus clouds in the mountains with an isolated storm on the Alpine and Pyrenean relief, the sun will shine without sharing.
Mardi et Wednesday, the sun will continue to reign supreme. The northeast wind will accentuate the drought. A few heat storms are expected over the Pyrenees, the southern Alps and the Corsican relief. In the morning, it will already be very mild, between 16 and 24°C from north to south. In the afternoon, it will be warmer and warmer with 36 to 38°C in the southwest and 32 to 35°C elsewhere, except near the English Channel due to breezes as well as at the edge of the Mediterranean where the sea wind will lower the temperatures.
Thursday et Friday, the heat wave will continue to intensify. The heat wave thresholds will be reached over most of France, especially in the west and in the center where we expect around 37 to 39°C in the afternoons and 34 to 36°C elsewhere. On the sky side, except for a few local thunderstorms in the mountains, in the Pyrenees and the Alps in the afternoon, the drought will always increase under a torrid sun. Note that Marin and Autan will blow moderately in their areas, up to 60 km/h in gusts, increasing the risk of fires starting and vegetation fires.
