Hot weather up to 40°C set for France this week
Temperatures are set to reach 40°C in the centre and south of France this week, lasting until the weekend.
Forecaster Météo France said: [Monday July 27] will be a generally very sunny and very hot day across most of the country.”
The mercury is set to hit 31-36°C across most of the centre and south, including 37°C in the Rhône valley, and 31-39°C - and even 40°C - in the Midi-Pyrénées and centre-east.
Only areas close to the Channel - especially Brittany and Normandy - will escape the heat, and may see some rain.
The weather has not been declared a “canicule” (heatwave), but it is expected to last all week, before thunderstorms arrive at the weekend.
An official canicule is only declared when temperatures reach higher than 36°C and the minimum temperature does not drop below 21°C - even at night - for three consecutive days and nights.
The forecast comes almost a year exactly after a major heatwave with record temperatures hit France, with the mercury rising to 45°C and a canicule declared in more than 80 departments in June-July 2019.
Read more: France breaks all-time heat records as heatwave peaks
Although no official canicule has been announced, there are still ways that you can keep your home cool in the heat.
- Close windows and shutters during the day, and open at night
- Grow plants indoors as they help to absorb heat and keep things cool
- Hang washing indoors near windows, as the evaporating moisture humidifies and refreshes the room
- Place a wet sheet or towel, or bottles of iced water, in front of your fan to increase its effectiveness
- Clean your floor with cold water to refresh the room
- Place sun shades in front of your windows if you prefer not to close the shutters
- Turn off your electrical devices as these can heat the space up further
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