Meteorological autumn is here, but the vibes in Lyon this week could still feel decidedly summery. After a 2026 summer marked by several episodes of intense heat, temperatures will gradually climb across the metropolitan area just as Lyonnais residents settle back into their back-to-school routines.
The change should really kick in starting Friday. The mercury could hit 33°C on Friday, then 35°C on Saturday, before a possible peak on Sunday, September 6th. With clear skies, it'll feel more like a mid-August day than early September.
Up to 37°C on Sunday in Lyon?
Sunday could be the hottest day of this new heat wave with temperatures up to 37°C expected in Lyon. Some weather forecasts are pointing to a particularly intense heat peak.
for the period, even if forecasts could still change over the next few days.So we'll have to wait before breaking out the XXL ice cubes. The 37°C scenario isn't totally confirmed yet and weather models still show significant variations. But one thing is already becoming clear: the weekend could be very hot in the Rhône region.
A remarkable heat wave for the month of September
This new temperature spike won't just affect Lyon either: a large part of southern France should also experience several particularly warm days. According to Météo-France forecasts, the phenomenon should start setting in as early as Wednesday in Languedoc before gradually spreading to other territories in the southern half.
The situation could even become unusual for early September. >Temperatures close to record highs are expected in several areas, and some departments could see heat wave orange alerts make a comeback. A scenario that hasn't been observed at this time of year since 2023.
Will Lyon break records?
The question now will be whether Lyon's mercury will exceed the usual benchmarks for early September. In 2023, France already experienced an exceptionally warm spell at this time of year, with several days ranking among the highest temperatures ever recorded for the month of September.