Orange heat alert in the Maritime Alps: up to 36 °C

On Monday, 3 August 2026, Météo-France maintained an orange danger level for heat in the Maritime Alps: inland temperatures are expected to reach up to 36 °C, while along the coast nights will not drop below 26–27 °C.

Where it’s hottest

In the morning the coast was around 29 °C, in Menton — 30 °C. In mountain communes such as Saint-Auban, Guillaumes and Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée, thermometers showed 24 °C, in Saint-Martin-du-Var and Grasse — 29 °C. Daytime highs are higher: 36 °C in Roquebillière, 35 °C in Puget-Théniers and up to 34 °C in Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée, Villars-sur-Var and Guillaumes, reports Nice Premium. The ultraviolet index remains at 8–9 out of 10.

Storms in the mountains, but not by the sea

From midday until 20:00 a yellow thunderstorm alert is in force in the department’s high country. It covers a strip from Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée to Tende — via Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée and Roquebillière. Around Saint-Martin-du-Var and Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée gusts of up to 40 km/h are expected. The coast is not affected by the storms.

Seventh day of highest fire risk

Since 17 July the prefecture has for the seventh time declared a “very high” forest fire risk in the department. The Estérel–Tanneron massif is closed for the entire day: access, movement and any work are prohibited. The rest of the territory is classified as low to moderate risk. Authorities remind that nine out of ten fires are caused by humans, and if you see fire you should call 18 or 112 immediately.

In the Var the fire is still not contained

In the neighbouring Var department a fire in the Gros-Bessillon massif has burned through 1,850 hectares and by Monday was still not contained, reports franceinfo. All evacuees have returned home, but in the afternoon the wind is expected to turn towards the village of Correns, and the town hall is asking residents in at-risk areas to keep packed bags ready.

The decline will start on Tuesday

The orange heat alert is in effect in 20 departments of the east and south-east of the country, clarifies franceinfo. On Monday at 22:00 the Hautes-Alpes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence will return to a yellow level, and from Tuesday temperatures will start to fall, remaining high in the east. This is a continuation of the fourth heat wave that began at the end of July: a week earlier the department was under a yellow heat and thunderstorm alert.

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