France swelters under record May temperatures as heatwave continues

France is experiencing its earliest heatwave on record, with forecasters warning that temperatures could approach 40C later in the week. On Tuesday, May 26, official heatwave alerts were issued for 27 departments, including eight departments in western France on the higher orange level. The warnings also cover Paris and the Ile-de-France region, plus parts of eastern France such as Rhone and Isere. Orange alerts apply to Finistere, Ille-et-Vilaine, Loire-Atlantique, Maine-et-Loire, Manche, Mayenne, Morbihan, and Vendee. Temperatures are expected to exceed 30C across nearly all regions, driven by a heat dome and high pressure trapping hot air moving north from Africa. Cities including Lyon, Montelimar, Bordeaux, and Paris are forecast to reach the mid-30s, while Mediterranean areas remain slightly cooler.

"France remained in the grip of its earliest heatwave on record on Tuesday. Forecasters have warned that temperatures could climb close to 40C later this week in parts of the country. A total of 27 departements in France were placed under official heatwave alerts on Tuesday, May 26th, with eight in the west of the country placed on the higher orange alert level."

"The warnings mainly affect western France, Paris and the surrounding Ile-de-France region, as well as parts of eastern France including Rhone and Isere. The departements on orange alert are Finistere, Ille-et-Vilaine, Loire-Atlantique, Maine-et-Loire, Manche, Mayenne, Morbihan and Vendee."

"According to weather forecaster Meteo France, temperatures are expected to rise above 30C across almost the entire country, driven by a heat dome, a high-pressure weather system trapping hot air moving north from Africa. The hottest cities on Tuesday include Lyon, Montelimar and Bordeaux, where temperatures could reach 36C. Paris is forecast to hit 35C, alongside Rennes, Brest, Tours, Rouen and Auxerre."

"Weather agencies warned that records could be broken on Tuesday after Monday became the hottest May day ever recorded in several parts of France. The heatwave is e"

Read at www.thelocal.fr