France records hottest night since 1947 as heatwave grips Europe
Synopsis
France just logged its hottest night in nearly 80 years of records, with the nighttime heat indicator hitting 21.6°C. With 54 departments on red alert, 40 drowning deaths since 18 June, and the national June temperature record within reach, the country is in the grip of a full-scale climate emergency — and Poland is next in line.
Key Takeaways
France recorded its hottest night since meteorological records began in 1947 , with the nighttime indicator reaching 21.6 degrees Celsius .
54 departments in mainland France were placed under red heatwave alert on Tuesday , with 35 more under orange alert.
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed approximately 40 drowning deaths across France since 18 June , mostly young people.
The national average temperature hit 29.2°C on Monday and could surpass the June record of 29.4°C , potentially reaching 30°C by midweek.
1,352 schools and middle schools were closed, with 4,042 others operating under special arrangements.
Poland faces temperatures up to 40°C , peaking on 28-29 June , according to the IMGW .
France endured its hottest night on record since national meteorological data collection began in 1947, with the country's nighttime heat indicator — drawn from readings across 30 meteorological stations — climbing to 21.6 degrees Celsius between Monday and Tuesday, according to Meteo-France. The extreme overnight temperatures mark a grim milestone in what is shaping up to be one of the most severe heatwaves the country has faced in decades.
Alert Levels and Government Response
By Tuesday, Meteo-France had placed 54 departments in mainland France under a red heatwave alert — the highest possible warning level — while an additional 35 departments were placed under an orange alert. The scale of the alert coverage means the majority of the French population is living under some form of official heatwave warning.
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed on Tuesday that approximately 40 people have drowned across France since 18 June, with most of the victims being young people, according to news channel BFMTV. Lecornu also announced that an interministerial crisis unit has been activated to coordinate the national response to the ongoing emergency.
Temperature Records Under Threat
The national average temperature reached 29.2 degrees Celsius at 5 pm local time on Monday, according to Meteo-France. The agency warned that the national average could surpass the existing June record of 29.4 degrees Celsius and potentially reach 30 degrees Celsius by midweek. Exceptionally high temperatures are expected to persist until at least Thursday.
Schools Closed, Daily Life Disrupted
French Education Minister Edouard Geffray stated on Monday that 1,352 schools and middle schools had been shut due to the heat, while a further 4,042 institutions introduced special arrangements to manage the extreme conditions. The closures reflect the scale of disruption the heatwave is causing to everyday life across the country.
Poland Also Braces for Extreme Heat
The heatwave is not confined to France. Poland is also forecast to experience intense heat, with temperatures in parts of the country expected to reach as high as 40 degrees Celsius, according to the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW). Temperatures are projected to rise gradually through the week, peaking on 28 and 29 June. The Zgorzelec and Jelenia Gora areas of Lower Silesia could see 39 to 40 degrees Celsius, while the Baltic coast and central Poland are expected to record around 36 degrees Celsius. The heatwave in Poland is forecast to last three to four days before cooler conditions arrive.
Health authorities across the region have cautioned that extreme temperatures pose serious risks, particularly for the elderly, children, and individuals with chronic illnesses. With temperatures still climbing and the peak yet to arrive in some areas, authorities are urging the public to take precautions. The coming days will be critical in determining whether France breaks its all-time June temperature record.
Point of View
Yet the infrastructure response — school closures, crisis units — remains reactive rather than structural. The 40 drowning deaths since 18 June are a stark indicator that heat kills indirectly as well as directly, as people seek relief in rivers and lakes without adequate safety oversight. Europe's simultaneous multi-country heat emergency also exposes the limits of national-level response frameworks when the crisis is continental in scale.
NationPress
23 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature record did France break during the June 2025 heatwave?
France recorded its hottest night since national meteorological records began in 1947, with the nighttime heat indicator reaching 21.6 degrees Celsius between Monday and Tuesday, 23 June. The national average daytime temperature also approached the all-time June record of 29.4 degrees Celsius.
How many people have died in France due to the heatwave?
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed on Tuesday that around 40 people have drowned in France since 18 June, with most victims being young people. An interministerial crisis unit has been activated to manage the emergency.
Which parts of France are under the highest heatwave alert?
As of Tuesday, 54 departments in mainland France were placed under a red heatwave alert — the highest warning level — while 35 additional departments were under an orange alert, according to Meteo-France.
How long is the France heatwave expected to last?
Meteo-France has said temperatures are expected to remain exceptionally high until at least Thursday, with the national average potentially reaching 30 degrees Celsius by midweek. The peak of the heat is expected around that period.
Is Poland also affected by the European heatwave?
Yes. Poland is forecast to experience temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius, particularly in the Zgorzelec and Jelenia Gora areas of Lower Silesia, with the heat peaking on 28 and 29 June, according to the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW). The heatwave is expected to last three to four days before cooler weather arrives.
