Day 3365 (Tuesday) 25th August 2026

Is France's long summer of extreme heat finally over 

 

Rain is forecast for much of France this week - but are the cooler temperatures here to stay? Photo by JOEL SAGET / AFP 

Temperatures across most of France fell on Wednesday and for the first ;me since June no areas were on alert for extreme heat - so is this the end of the scorching summer of 2026?
Although high temperatures persist in some parts of the south-east, Wednesday morning saw cooler, fresher temperatures for most of the country, with rain in some areas. 

No orange or red alerts are in place for extreme heat, for the first Kme since June.
So is this an end to the brutal temperatures of the summer of 2026, or just a temporary respite? 

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 

This week temperatures are predicted to be below seasonal norms for most areas, with rain across much of the country.
Northern France, including Paris, will see highs of between 20C and 24C, while the centre of the country will likely reach 30C. In the south, however, temperatures of between 35C and 38C are expected, especially along the Mediterranean coast. 

Weather map for Wednesday, August 19. Map: Météo France
There will also be rain. Météo France says: "On Wednesday, the weather will change as a rain front gradually moves in over the north-west, marking a shi] in air masses. 

  

"This will bring heavier rain, arriving from the English Channel in the morning and reaching, by the end of the day, the regions from the Pays-de-Loire to the Ardennes, via Île-de-France."
Rain will conKnue on Thursday and Friday, with thundery showers developing in some areas, especially in the south. 

Weekend 

Rain continues over the weekend in some areas, with risks of storms and even localised flooding in the south.
Flash flooding could occur in some areas, as very heavy rain cannot be absorbed by ground parched by the extreme summer drought. 

Cooler temperatures predominate, Météo France adds: "Temperatures will fall back below seasonal averages, something that has not happened since June 11th." 

End of August 

So are these cool days just a temporary respite from the heat, or can we expect to see a sixth heatwave in the final week of August?
Although Météo France only gives detailed forecasts seven days in advance, the general trend for next week is for cooler temperatures to remain. 

Temperatures are set to be at or slightly below seasonal averages for most of the country - mid to high 20s for much of the country and more scattered rain showers. 

And what about September? 

High temperatures in September are not unusual in France, l'été indien can bring high temperatures and sunny weather well into September or early October, while heatwaves can also happen in September.
Météo France does not provide predictions so far in advance, saying only that the general trend for the summer is for temperatures above seasonal norms.
However, the weather channel La Chaîne Météo predicted that last week's heatwave - the fi]h so far this summer - would be the last period of extreme heat . . . unKl next summer.
Météo France meteorologist Nemo Pawlowski told France Info: "As is o]en the case with weather trends, we are seeing monthly forecasts that are warmer than normal, as this is a hallmark of global warming. However, we cannot yet say for certain whether or not there will be a heatwave during September.
"We do not have much information on these trends, apart from the possibility of above-average rainfall around the Mediterranean during September and October. This is due to the intensifying effect of very warm sea temperatures on Mediterranean or Cévennes-type stormy rain events. "This does not mean there will be more of them, but that, if conditions are favourable for such events, they may bring heavier rainfall." 

Will water restrictions be implemented? 

Rain is good news for a drought-stricken France, but the situation is so severe in many areas that a few days of rain will not be enough to refill the water tables.
Restrictions are, however, done on a commune basis, so the situation will vary across the country.