Meteo France Forecasts Record-High Temperatures Amid Intense National Heatwave
France Faces Unprecedented Heatwave Conditions
Current Situation and Forecast
PARIS, June 19 (Reuters) - French weather agency Meteo France said on Monday the current heatwave, which is comparable to the ones in 2003 and 2019, will push temperatures to match record highs on Monday.
• "A widespread, prolonged, and intense heatwave is currently affecting France," Meteo France said in a Friday statement. "A significant rise in temperatures is expected from Sunday until at least Tuesday."
• Temperatures reached 35 to 38 degrees Celsius, with peaks at 40 degrees Celsius on Friday afternoon.
• Temperatures are likely to rise on Sunday to reach 37 to 42 degrees Celsius and Monday, which could be among the hottest days ever recorded in the country.
Comparison with Previous Heatwaves
• Nationally, the heatwave will be similar to the ones in July 2019 and August 2003 in terms of day and night temperatures, it added on X.
Impact on Public Health
• Back in 2019, the health ministry had said the heatwaves in June and July had caused about 1,500 more deaths than usual in the country during the period.
• The country had recorded as many as 10 times more deaths than usual during the summer because of a heatwave that was particularly long in August.
Government and Local Response
• Paris mayor Emmanuel Gregoire ordered the opening of the city's parks 24 hours a day.
• He maintained the holding of the annual Fete de la Musique celebrations on June 21.
Alerts and Warnings
• Some 59 departments or administrative districts moved to amber heatwave alert on Friday, Meteo France said.
• From Sunday parts of France were likely to move into red alert with temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius at night and 40 degrees Celsius during daytime, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said.
(Reporting by Inti Landauro, Johnny Cotton and Nicolas Delame, Editing by Louise Heavens)
