France hit by heatwave and violent thunderstorms

A severe heatwave is sweeping France in early August 2026, with daytime temperatures exceeding 37 °C in Alsace and other regions. Nighttime temperatures have remained above 20 °C, creating “tropical nights” that hinder sleep and raise ozone levels, prompting local authorities such as Strasbourg to close parks and cemeteries as a precaution.

Simultaneously, a cold air intrusion is colliding with the hot surface air, generating powerful thunderstorms across much of the country. Forecasts predict gusts of 80‑100 km/h, intense rain, large hailstones and microbursts, especially from the Pyrénées to the Massif Central and onward to the north‑east. Damage reports from Savoie and Haute‑Savoie include torn roofs, broken windshields, uprooted trees and disrupted camping sites. Météo‑France has placed 16 departments under orange heat‑wave vigilance and issued yellow storm warnings for Bourgogne‑Franche‑Comté and other areas. Humidity levels above 50‑60 % are making the heat feel even more oppressive.

The combined heat and storm activity is expected to ease later in the week as cooler Atlantic air moves in, but elevated temperatures and localized storm risks will persist in the east and southeast through the weekend.