Record heat in France, thermometer over 42 degrees

Several historical temperature records were broken today in France: from Brest to Biscarrosse, via Nantes, on the "hottest day of this heat wave", announced Météo-France.

According to the provisional values ​​recorded at 5 pm, the thermometer indicated 39.3 ° C in Brest (compared to the previous record of 35.1 ° C in August 2003), 39.5 ° C in Saint-Brieuc (compared to 38, 1 ° C in August 2003), 42 ° C in Nantes (compared to 40.3 ° C in July 1949) or 42.6 ° C in Biscarrosse (compared to 41.7 ° C in June 2022).

The west of France and central and southern England, including London, are now progressively hit by a scorching heat wave, which will bring temperatures of over 40 degrees, which for the United Kingdom are an absolute record.

In France 15 departments are on alert and the heat is expected to be more intense in the regions of Aquitaine, where 42 degrees or more are expected, and in Brittany.

Across the Channel, the authorities have for days been issuing warnings to the population to stay home, warning that extreme heat can kill, and even the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, yesterday asked the population of the capital not to take public transport except in cases of need. 

Western France is facing a "heat apocalypse,"

experts say.

Temperatures are expected to reach record highs in 15 regions of the southwest, already struggling with violent fires.

The Météo France Institute predicts that "in some areas of the southwest there will be a heat apocalypse" that could reach 44 ° in some areas, followed by a "scorching night".

The city of

raises the alert level to the four foreseen in the weather vigilance scale.

In addition to the activation of a crisis unit, various measures have been announced by the local authorities, such as the opening of refrigerated rooms with free access in the districts, strengthening aid for the homeless, opening parks and gardens even at night for allow Parisians and tourists to find a little cool.

Paris is among the most densely populated cities in the world, with few public green areas in the city center.

According to experts, today could be one of the hottest days ever recorded in the history of France.