Orange Heatwave Warnings and Severe Thunderstorm Forecasts Issued Across Southern France

Météo-France has issued orange heatwave warnings for twelve departments in France as of August 8, 2026, with temperatures expected to exceed 30C and reach up to 40C in some southern areas. This exceptionally long heatwave is forecast to continue into next week. Concurrently, severe thunderstorms are expected to spread across southern France this weekend (August 8-9, 2026), bringing heavy rainfall, hail, frequent lightning, and strong wind gusts of 80-100 km/h. Three southeastern departments (Bouches-du-Rhone, Var, and Vaucluse) were also under the highest wildfire alert on August 7, 2026, due to extreme fire risks exacerbated by the heat.