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.

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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 · 4 months 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 · 4 months 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 · 4 months 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 · 4 months 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 · 4 months 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 · 4 months ago