The grim records keep piling up… If we thought that the terrible heat wave of 2003 was the worst France had ever experienced, 2026 is dangerously getting closer to matching it. The heat wave that has been ongoing since July 28th has surpassed, this Thursday August 13th, that of 2003 in terms of duration. « We're at seventeen days counting today », indicated Météo-France, compared to fifteen days 23 years ago (from August 2nd to 17th, 2003).
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Up to 40°C felt this week
On Thursday, August 13 and Friday, August 14, 2026, extreme temperatures were felt across much of the country, « with values around 40°C in many regions », notes the meteorological agency. Fortunately, temperatures should start to drop from Saturday, August 15, but the season has proven it to us so far: heat waves can return just as quickly as they disappear.
Heat waves becoming increasingly frequent
Since 2003, significant heat wave episodes took place across France. In 2006, a heat wave lasting 19 days was recorded between July 10 and 28. In 2017, as early as June, 96% of French people were affected by the heat wave between June 17 and 24. The same situation occurred between July 24 and August 8, 2018.
Summer 2019 was particularly intense with two heat wave episodes between June 24 and July 7, and between July 21 and 27. 1,435 people died in France. In 2020 and 2022, three heat wave episodes took place, while there were three in 2023 and 2024.
June 23, 2026 was the hottest day ever recorded in France. The country experienced three heat wave episodes in less than twomonths.
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