France sets records in the summer of 2026 as 22-day heatwave becomes the second-longest on record

The heatwave that has engulfed France during the summer of 2026 has lasted 22 days, making it the second-longest since records began in 1947.

The duration of the current episode has surpassed the July 2006 heatwave, which lasted 21 days. However, the absolute record is still held by July 1983, when high temperatures lasted 23 days.

Météo France announced that on Tuesday, August 18, the National Heat Index (ITN) reached 24.5 degrees Celsius. This indicator is calculated using the average temperatures recorded at 30 representative weather stations across the country.

“We are in the 22nd heatwave, temporarily in second place since 1947,” the French meteorological service said.

Meteorological data also show that in 2026, France has experienced more than 50 heatwave days in total, representing another record.

This is the 54th documented heatwave in France since 1947.

More than half of these episodes have been recorded since 2010, a period during which temperatures have continued to rise as a result of climate change caused by human activities.

The distinctive feature of the summer of 2026 is also linked to the unusual frequency of high temperatures. In less than two months, the country has already been hit by three separate heatwaves.

One of these episodes affected France at the end of May, bringing exceptionally high temperatures, and was considered historically early for that time of year.