France breaks May heat record for fifth day as Europe swelters
France has broken its all-time May temperature record for the fifth consecutive day as an unprecedented spring heatwave tightens its grip on the country, with officials warning of life-threatening conditions and at least seven heat-related deaths. Météo-France confirmed Tuesday that temperatures reached 36.5°C in the southwestern department of Landes, surpassing Monday’s record of 35.4°C and extending a streak of daily highs not seen in modern records.
The heatwave now places 13 departments in western France under an orange heat alert—the second-highest warning level—as temperatures are forecast to remain abnormally high through Sunday. Coastal cities like Saint-Brieuc recorded 31°C, while Besançon in the east hit 33°C, both shattering local May records. In some areas, thermometers could climb to 39°C by midweek, according to Météo-France.
The extreme heat has already claimed seven lives in France, with authorities attributing deaths to both direct heat exposure and heat-exacerbated medical conditions. Emergency services report a surge in heatstroke cases, particularly among vulnerable populations, while several drownings have occurred as people seek relief in rivers and lakes. The government’s spokesperson described the situation as "a public health crisis," urging residents to limit outdoor activity and check on elderly neighbors.
This heatwave extends beyond France, with Western Europe experiencing its most severe May heat event in over a century. The UK shattered its May temperature record for the second day in a row on Tuesday, reaching 35.1°C at Heathrow—breaking the 34.8°C set just 24 hours earlier at Kew Gardens. Ireland also matched its May high, with Met Éireann recording 30.5°C in parts of Leinster and Munster. Across the continent, over 350 temperature records have fallen in recent days, according to meteorological agencies.
Climate scientists link the intensity and early onset of the heatwave to human-caused climate change, which has made such events both more frequent and more severe. With no immediate relief in sight, authorities in France and the UK have activated emergency cooling centers and extended public health advisories, warning that the unseasonable heat could persist into early June.
France breaks May heat record for fifth day as Europe swelters
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Episode de chaleur : 31 °C à Saint-Brieuc, 33 °C à Besançon… la France bat un nouveau record pour un mois de mai La vigilance orange va sélargir mercredi, avec un total de 13 départements placés en alerte dans louest du pays. Les températures devraient rester anormalement élevées jusquà dimanche.
liberation · 2 days ago
Exceptionally early heatwave shatters records and brings deaths in Europe The UK smashed a century-old temperature record for the second time in 24 hours on Tuesday as a spring heatwave continued to scorch parts of western Europe, triggering government warnings about risks to life. Several drownings were reported in Britain and France as people tried to cool down. A temperature of 35.1 degrees was recorded at Londons Kew Gardens, Britains Met Office weather service said, breaking the 34.8 degree record set a day earlier at Kew. The provisional readings smashed the...
south china morning post · 2 days ago
Updated May 26, 2026 9:51 AMLONDON (AP) — The United Kingdom smashed a century-old temperature record for the second time in 24 hours on Tuesday as a spring heat wave continued to scorch parts of Western Europe, triggering government warnings about risks to life. Several drownings were reported in Britain and France as people tried to cool down. #heatwave #europe #weather
mastodon bot · 2 days ago
Seven heat-related deaths in France as May records set in several countries Extreme early-summer event across western Europe also brings highest temperatures for month in UK and IrelandSeven people have died in France in an extreme early-summer heat event that is affecting a swathe of western Europe with record high temperatures for May recorded in several countries.In France, which logged its hottest-ever May day on Monday and again on Tuesday, the Météo France weather agency said the heat wave could last through the week and predicted temperatures could reach 39C in some areas. Continue reading...
theguardian · 2 days ago
Record high for May is broken (again) as temperature reaches 30.5 degrees Met Éireann said temperatures could reach 30C in some parts of the country today.
thejournal · 2 days ago
UK records highest ever May temperature for second day in a row Temperature reaches 35.1C at Heathrow on Tuesday after 34.8C high at Kew Gardens in London on MondayTell us: how are you coping in the UK heatwave?The UK has recorded its highest ever May temperature for the second consecutive day, as thermometers hit 35.1C at Heathrow and Kew Gardens in London, the Met Office has said.The latest high was recorded the day after the countrys provisional hottest meteorological spring temperature, of 34.8C in Kew Gardens in south-west London. The previous May peak of 32.8C had stood since 1922. Continue reading...
theguardian · 2 days ago
A Spring Heat Wave is Breaking Records in the U.K., Spain and France Authorities in Britain and France warned that unprecedented temperatures — at a time when few expected them — could persist. Climate change has made heat waves more frequent and more intense.
new york times · 2 days ago
Its Still Spring in Europe, but the Heat is Already Breaking Records Authorities in Britain and France warned that unprecedented temperatures — at a time when few expected them — could persist. Climate change has made heat waves more frequent and more intense.
new york times · 2 days ago
![⚡A heat wave across #Europe 🇪🇺 has set over 350 new temperature records. High summer temperatures continue over large parts of the continent after new records in the #British 🇬🇧 Isles and #France 🇫🇷, with even warmer conditions expected in the coming days. [Dagens Nyheter]Follow for the latest information](https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/641/855/426/214/717/original/8f387338b48ac576.jpg)
⚡A heat wave across #Europe 🇪🇺 has set over 350 new temperature records. High summer temperatures continue over large parts of the continent after new records in the #British 🇬🇧 Isles and #France 🇫🇷, with even warmer conditions expected in the coming days. [Dagens Nyheter]Follow for the latest information
mastodon bot · 2 days ago
EN DIRECT - Episode de chaleur : la France bat un nouveau record pour un mois de mai La vigilance orange va sélargir mercredi, avec un total de 13 départements placés en alerte dans louest du pays. Les températures devraient rester anormalement élevées jusquà dimanche.
liberation · 2 days ago
Heat dome: Heatwave conditions hit France and parts of Europe 🌡️ #France and the #UK on Monday experienced their hottest day in the month of May on record, the countries weather agencies said, warning that Tuesday may be even warmer. The French government said seven people have died due to causes linked "directly and indirectly" to the #heat.
france24 · 2 days ago
Ireland and parts of Europe are experiencing record high temperatures. Heres what you need to know With climate change, such extreme weather events happen with more ferocity and could lead to deaths
irish times · 2 days ago
Est-il vrai que lépisode de chaleur dans lHexagone na rien d«exceptionnel», comme laffirme Pascal Praud sur CNews ? Météo France a annoncé que lundi «a été la journée la plus chaude» pour un mois de mai depuis le début de ses mesures en 1947. De nouveaux records de température devraient être franchis ce mardi 26 mai.
liberation · 2 days ago
EN DIRECT - Vague de chaleur : Météo France anticipe «38°C, voire 39°C dans certaines régions» ces prochains jours La vigilance orange va sélargir mercredi, avec un total de 13 départements placés en alerte dans louest du pays. Les températures devraient rester anormalement élevées jusquà dimanche.
liberation · 2 days ago
UK Heat Wave Could Break May Temperature Record Forecasters warned that temperatures could climb to the highest level ever recorded in the month of May, reaching 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) in some areas of England.
new york times · 2 days ago
EN DIRECT - Episode de chaleur : Météo France anticipe «38°C, voire 39°C dans certaines régions» ces prochains jours Les températures maximales attendues ce mardi 26 mai après-midi, de 33 à 36 °C dans les départements en vigilance orange «canicule», sannoncent inédites pour un mois de mai.
liberation · 2 days ago
Europe swelters under unusually early heatwave An unusual spring heatwave continues to scorch parts of Western Europe, driven by a "heat dome" which has pushed temperatures well above seasonal norms across the continent. France and the UK have broken temperature records for the month of May and the French government spokesperson said that seven people are believed to have died directly or indirectly because of the heat - including two people whod been taking part in sporting activities.
france24 · 2 days ago
EN DIRECT - Canicule : une baisse généralisée des températures attendue dimanche par Météo France Les températures maximales attendues ce mardi 26 mai après-midi, de 33 à 36 °C dans les départements en vigilance orange «canicule», sannoncent inédites pour un mois de mai.
liberation · 2 days ago