France Braces for Peak Heatwave, Southwestern Temperatures Forecast to Hit 43°C

Central News Agency (Bordeaux, France, June 22) - Following a series of stifling nights, France is expected to experience the peak of its current heatwave today, with temperatures in the southwestern region forecast to reach 43°C.

According to AFP, French authorities have issued the highest level of heat alert for half of the country. Meteorologists warn that the intensity of this heatwave could be comparable to the 2003 event, which resulted in nearly 15,000 deaths across France.

Civil defense authorities reported 13 drowning deaths over the weekend and strongly urged the public to avoid swimming in unsupervised locations.

Météo-France indicated that temperatures in Bordeaux could soar to 43°C this afternoon, while Paris is expected to hit 39°C. Both cities recorded historic June nighttime lows of 25.3°C and 24.2°C, respectively. Cities in western France, including Tours and Poitiers, also shattered local records with nighttime temperatures exceeding 24°C.

In response to the extreme conditions, the Ministry of Education announced that over 800 schools nationwide will be closed, and 1,800 others have adjusted their schedules. Schools have recommended that parents keep children home or collect them by noon to minimize exposure to classroom heat. A primary school teacher in Bordeaux expressed concerns regarding the lack of institutional measures taken to provide adequate cooling in schools.