A heatwave that began in France in late July became the longest, matching the record of 1983.
The National Thermal Indicator (ITN), which reflects the average temperature at 30 reference stations, was 24.7°C on Wednesday, according to final data from Météo-France.
The heatwave, which began on July 28, lasted at least until mid-week and reached a duration of 23 days. Thus, it became the longest in the history of observations, equal to the heatwave of July 1983, Météo-France reported to AFP on Thursday.
Criteria and other records
A heatwave begins when the National Thermal Indicator (ITN) reaches or exceeds 25.3°C during the day, and the average temperature in the country remains at 23.4°C or higher for at least three consecutive days. It ends when the ITN drops below 23.4°C for at least three consecutive days or drops below 22.4°C once.
Although the current heatwave is the longest, it is not the most intense. The heatwave of late June 2026 remains the strongest ever observed in France in terms of maximum temperatures reached. At the same time, the record for the most extreme heatwave, whose criterion combines its duration and intensity, belongs to August 2003.
Historical context and frequency
This heatwave became the 54th that France has experienced since 1947. More than half of such episodes occurred after 2010 against the backdrop of global warming caused by human activity.
The summer of 2026 is marked by an exceptional frequency of heatwaves: to date, France has already recorded three such waves in less than two months. Before this, the country was covered by a historically early period of heat at the end of May.
Source: Le Figaro
