France will be affected by its first heat stroke of the year

From Monday, a powerful anticyclone will form over France, bringing upair hot from the Sahara: this dome of heat will give rise to the first real heat stroke of the season in France. Remember that in meteorology, we officially speak of heat from 25°C and high heat from 30°C. Temperatures will reach the heat threshold in the north, and the high heat threshold in the southwest: the feeling will be worthy of the month of July almost everywhere in France for at least four days, with the exception of Hauts-de- France and the Channel Coasts.

A real heat wave in anticipation?

Meteo France speaks of a heat wave when we observe ” abnormally high temperatures for at least three consecutive days”. According to Francois Jobard, meteorologist for Meteo France, no heat wave that meets the thresholds set by Météo France, with an average temperature of 25.3°C across the country, has ever been recorded during the month of May in France”.

On the scale of France, it will be more of a hot period, with a peak of heat on Wednesday and Thursday, but not exceptional. In Paris, we could approach 30°C in the middle of the week. In New Aquitaine, 30°C may be exceeded, but without reaching the record which is 35°C for May. A big uncertainty remains on the evolution from Thursday, the temperatures could go up a notch raising fears the spectrum of one heat wave over certain areas, or fall with the arrival of fresh air.

This heat stroke poses no risk to human health, but will aggravate the situation of drought which rages in most French regions.