The heatwave that has been raging across France for several days still shows no signs of abating, with temperatures exceeding 42°C in many regions on the 12th local time, breaking the historical high temperature records for the same period in several places.
According to data released by the French meteorological department that evening, the southeastern French town of Saint-Laurent-du-Pape in the Ardèche department and the southern town of Sainte-Combe-d'Olt in the Aveyron department both recorded temperatures of 42.9°C, tying for the top spot in the national high temperature rankings for towns on that day. The southeastern small town of Romans-sur-Isère in the Drôme department also recorded a high temperature of 42.6°C. Saint-Laurent-du-Pape and other places broke their historical high temperature records for this period.
According to reports from the local channel of the French radio, the terrain in Saint-Laurent-du-Pape is conducive to heat accumulation, causing temperatures to continue to climb.
Citing local officials, the report stated that in the afternoon, even thermometers placed in shaded areas showed a high temperature of 42°C. Few residents were seen on the streets, and even animals were rarely spotted.
In southern and southeastern France, the temperatures in major cities generally ranged between 37°C and 40°C on the 12th, with Aix-en-Provence at 39.3°C, Lyon at 39°C, and Carcassonne at 38.8°C.
Currently, Ardèche, Isère, Rhône, Drôme, and Aude departments are still under a red heat alert, while 68 other departments remain under an orange heat alert.
The meteorological department predicts that the high temperatures in western and southwestern France will gradually ease starting from the 13th, but the hot weather in the east and southeast will persist for several more days. From the 13th, the Alpine region will face strong convective weather, possibly accompanied by thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds.
In addition, prolonged high temperatures and windless weather are not conducive to the dispersion of air pollutants, leading to a decline in air quality in several French departments. On the 12th, air pollution alerts were issued in southeastern departments such as Vaucluse, Rhône, and Var.