Heat waves, drought, fires: the month of July 2026 will go down in history as the hottest and one of the driest ever recorded in France since measurements began in 1900, an illustration of climate change whose effects are intensifying.

Published on: 08/04/2026 - 1:39 p.m. Modified on: 08/04/2026 - 3:08 p.m.

Absolute record. With an average temperature of 24.9°C, the month of July 2026 is now the hottest month ever recorded in France since measurements began in 1900, Météo-France announced on Tuesday August 4. It exceeds the previous heatwave records of August 2003 (24.8°C) and July 2006 (24.4°C).

The excess temperature compared to normal (period 1991-2020) – already established taking into account a climate warmed by human activities since 1850-1900 – reached, as in June, +3.8°C.

“This is the second highest monthly anomaly” ever recorded after February 1990 (+4°C), indicates the national forecaster in a press release.

On maximum temperatures, the excess even reached 5.2°C higher than seasonal norms.

Also read Weather: global warming and the mechanics of extremes

Two heat waves

July 2026 was marked by two heat waves. The first, from July 4 to 19, is the third longest ever recorded in France. The second, which began on July 28, is still ongoing.

Extreme phenomena which are less and less exceptions: Météo-France recalls that more than half of the 54 heat waves recorded in the country have occurred over the last 15 years.

Under the effect of climate change, these episodes are becoming “more and more frequent”, “starting earlier and earlier in the season” and reaching ever higher temperatures.

In July, several other European countries also suffered heatwave episodes, notably Hungary, Austria and Greece, where the thermometer came close to or even exceeded 40°C.

Since the end of May, France has already suffered four episodes of extreme heat, one of which was historically intense at the end of June.

It may not be over: for August, September and October, Météo-France favors a scenario warmer than normal, against a backdrop of "continued anticyclonic blocking conditions".

The forecaster points out, however, that these are seasonal trends and not weather forecasts, and that this does not allow us to conclude that new heat waves will occur.

Rain deficit

With a rain deficit of almost 70%, July 2026 was also the third month with the least water in France, further aggravating the surface dryness of the soil observed for two months.

At the end of July, “the soils are even drier than in 2022 and 2025 at the same period, and reach levels equivalent to the lowest ever recorded” in mid-August 2022, indicates Météo-France.

This record drought, combined with extreme heat, has serious consequences for agriculture and encourages the start and spread of fires.

Not a day in July went by without at least several departments being placed in high danger of forest fires, according to Météo-France. On July 12, 70 departments were affected. On July 5, 6 and 8, eight Mediterranean departments were even classified as very high danger.

Read alsoBetween fires and drought, the scorching summer continues to rage in Europe

The previous driest Julys were in 2022, with a precipitation deficit of 85%, and in 2020 (75%).

Only the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region benefited from some precipitation. But this took place during violent storms on July 16 and 25, one of which even caused a mini-tornado in the Loire.

But across the country, it is “overwhelming sunshine”, notes Météo-France, which dominated last month. With an average sunshine surplus of 35%, July 2026 ranks second among the sunniest Julys on record, behind July 2022 (+40%).

With AFP

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