Southern France heatwave expected to subside after record temperatures

Southern France is preparing for the end of a prolonged and record-breaking heatwave. In the Bouches-du-Rhône department and Marseille, temperatures have remained extremely high, with recent forecasts predicting daytime highs of 35°C and tropical nights. However, a cooling trend is expected to begin next week, driven by the return of the Mistral wind, which should bring more bearable conditions and lower temperatures to the Southeast.

The extreme heat has been linked to a rise in fatal drownings in the Rhône region. Twelve people have died by drowning in the Rhône this summer, nearly double the number recorded last year. Recent incidents include several deaths in Lyon and at the Parc de Miribel-Jonage, including the death of a three-year-old girl. Data from Santé Publique France indicates that approximately 80% of fatal drownings occur during heatwave alert periods.