Orange heatwave alert remains in place across the Côte d'Azur as high temperatures continue
The Alpes-Maritimes and Var remain under an orange heatwave alert as temperatures of up to 37°C and the risk of afternoon thunderstorms are forecast through the end of the week.
The Alpes-Maritimes and Var remain under an orange heatwave alert on Wednesday 5 August, with Météo-France warning that the hot weather is expected to persist until at least the end of the week.
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Vaucluse is also under the same alert.
Despite a slight drop in temperatures in some areas following recent thunderstorms, conditions remain exceptionally warm and humid across the region.
In the Alpes-Maritimes, temperatures will already be around 25°C along the coast on Wednesday morning before rising to 31–32°C during the afternoon.
In the Var, coastal areas are expected to reach around 32°C, while inland temperatures could climb to 37°C during the afternoon.
The orange heatwave warning has been extended until midnight on Thursday, with forecasters saying the current heatwave affecting south-eastern France is likely to continue until at least the end of the week.
A brief respite is expected over the weekend, with temperatures potentially dropping to around 30°C on Sunday and Monday before rising again next week.
The prolonged hot weather follows a record-breaking July, which Météo-France has confirmed was the hottest month ever recorded in France since records began in 1900.
With an average national temperature of 24.9°C, July also ranked as one of the driest months on record, while forecasts suggest above-average temperatures are likely to continue throughout August, September and October.