A severe heatwave has gripped France in late May 2026, driven by a heat dome that trapped exceptionally hot air originating from Morocco and the Iberian Peninsula. According to Météo-France, temperatures in Paris exceeded 30°C for seven consecutive days, a record for the month of May.
The phenomenon, known as a heat dome, occurs when a high-pressure system remains stationary over a region, compressing and warming the air beneath it. This prevented the hot air from dispersing, leading to prolonged high temperatures across much of the country.
Météo-France reported that the heatwave was particularly intense in the south and west, with temperatures reaching up to 38°C in some areas. The agency issued orange alerts for several departments, warning of health risks, especially for the elderly and vulnerable.
Climate scientists have linked the increasing frequency and intensity of such heatwaves to global climate change. The May 2026 event follows a trend of earlier and more extreme heat events in Europe.
