Fourth heatwave of the summer hits France on 28 July

On 28 July 2026 France enters the fourth heatwave of this summer: 35–40 °C is expected across most of the country, with forecasters predicting a sharp rise from Wednesday 29 July.

A fourth heatwave in one summer

The earlier episodes ran 21–30 May, 17–30 June and through the first half of July, putting this summer among the hottest by the number of such waves. The new episode starts on Tuesday and the situation really shifts on Wednesday, Le Tribunal du Net reports.

How hot it will get

Nationally the forecast runs from 35 to 40 °C, with the south-west hit hardest — models there show above 40 °C. By early August 42 °C is not ruled out, along with heavy tropical nights. Météo-France has not yet issued a separate forecast for the Alpes-Maritimes. During the previous episode the department went under an orange alert together with five other south-eastern departments, and on 21 July a yellow alert was in force here.

Why the coast has it easier

Along the shore from Nice to Menton the sea breeze takes the edge off the heat, so the inland valleys usually run several degrees hotter than the coastal strip. We wrote about what summers on the Riviera will look like by mid-century in Climate of the French Riviera in 2050.

What to do in the heat

The usual precautions for a heatwave: stay out of the sun between 11:00 and 16:00, drink at least a litre and a half of water a day, air the house early in the morning and late in the evening, and keep a particular eye on children and elderly relatives.

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