France heatwave temperatures surpass Dubai and Abu Dhabi forecasts

France has been hit by a summer heatwave with temperatures reaching 43°C, surpassing the forecasts for Dubai and Abu Dhabi on the same day and prompting authorities to issue widespread warnings.

According to Météo-France, temperatures in some western regions exceeded 40°C on Monday, June 22, reaching 43°C in the city of Bordeaux. In comparison, daily temperatures in Dubai and Abu Dhabi were forecast to be around 42°C for the same day.

The heatwave in France led the government to hold emergency meetings, issue extreme heat warnings for large parts of the country, and cancel several outdoor events. Red heat alerts have covered approximately half of France, including Paris.

Following the rise in temperatures, more than 800 schools in France were closed as a precautionary measure, while approximately 1,500 other schools allowed students to leave early. The extreme heat also disrupted public transport, leading to the cancellation of dozens of trains.

Meteorological experts attribute the situation to a mass of very hot air moving from North Africa and the Sahara Desert toward Europe, a flow that has trapped hot air over parts of Western and Central Europe.

France is not the only country affected by this heatwave. Spain, Portugal, Germany, and the United Kingdom have also faced significant temperature increases in recent days. Italian authorities have issued red heat alerts for several cities, including Bologna, Florence, Milan, and Turin, while Spain's meteorological agency warned of temperatures reaching around 40°C across large parts of the country.

The rising temperatures in Europe have once again heightened concerns about the consequences of climate change and the recurrence of extreme heatwaves. United Nations climate officials state that human-induced warming has made heatwaves more frequent and intense.

Europe also experienced one of its most severe heat periods in the summer of 2025, during which temperatures in southwest Spain reached 46°C and early summer wildfires in southern France led to the evacuation of several areas.

Experts say the recurrence of such events shows that extreme heat is no longer an exceptional phenomenon in Europe, and countries must more seriously pursue climate adaptation plans, protection for vulnerable groups, school preparedness, and the strengthening of transport and public health infrastructure.