France Endures Second Hottest June on Record Amid Severe Heatwave
France faces its second hottest June on record amid a severe heatwave, with notable health impacts and infrastructure issues reported.
Key Points
- • June 2025 recorded as the second hottest June in France's history.
- • Temperatures have reached 41.4°C, with 84 departments under heatwave conditions.
- • Two fatalities linked to the heatwave reported in Besançon.
- • Over 8,000 homes without power due to heat-related infrastructure failures.
France is currently grappling with an unprecedented heatwave, marking June 2025 as the second hottest June ever recorded, only behind the infamous June of 2003. Temperatures have soared to extraordinary heights, reaching up to 41.4 degrees Celsius in various regions, including Vaucluse, Rhône, and the eastern cities where the heat has triggered significant alerts and responses.
As of July 2, 2025, over 84 departments are under heatwave alerts, with four regions—Aube, Cher, Loiret, and Yonne—placed under a red alert due to critical conditions. Météo-France has observed these extreme temperatures as part of a larger phenomenon attributed to a "heat dome" created by an anticyclone over Western Europe, trapping intensely warm air. Coupled with unusually high sea temperatures in the Mediterranean, which have exceeded 26 degrees Celsius, the heatwave's effects are far-reaching and severe.
The Minister for Ecological Transition, Agnès Panier-Runacher, stated that the anomaly this June has hit 3.3 degrees Celsius above the average, emphasizing the extraordinary impact of climate change on weather patterns and predicting that such extreme heat events will only become more frequent. Tragically, the heatwave has already claimed at least two lives in Besançon, attributed to heat-related illnesses, and emergency services have reported a surge in calls, nearly 300 individuals requiring assistance during this critical time.
In terms of infrastructure, over 8,000 clients served by Enedis have been without electricity due to heat-induced failures in underground systems, which complicates the crisis response further. Across the nation, the oppressive heat has led to the temporary closure of over 2,200 educational institutions as local authorities seek to protect vulnerable populations from the dangerous conditions.
As the heatwave continues, authorities remain vigilant and proactive in their monitoring efforts, especially regarding health impacts on at-risk individuals. The situation is evolving, with regions recovering slowly but still facing persistent high temperatures into early July.