A new wave of intense heat, potentially a multi-day heatwave, is set to sweep across Lyon and its region this week. This follows an already intense episode in May, bringing unusually high temperatures for mid-June. In Lyon, temperatures are projected to exceed 38°C by mid-week. Météo-France anticipates issuing its first orange alert of the season for the Rhône department, describing the expected temperatures as “extreme” for this period.
Experts Express Serious Concerns
Meteorological expert Guillaume Séchet has expressed alarm, stating, “I can affirm, objectively, that the heatwave expected in France in the coming days raises real concern. Its intensity, its potentially remarkable duration, and the fact that it occurs after a first heatwave episode, even before the official start of summer, make it an event to monitor very closely.”
Gradual Temperature Increase Expected
Gabriel Chantrel, a Météo-France forecaster in Lyon, told actu Lyon that “temperatures will gradually increase” throughout the week, confirming that the phenomenon will indeed be a “heatwave” with “extreme” temperatures. On Tuesday, the thermometer is expected to reach 33°C during the day. By Wednesday, minimum morning temperatures will already be between “18 to 20°C.”
The heat will continue to rise in the afternoon, with temperatures ranging from 34 to 36°C in the Lyon region, making it one of the hottest areas in France, alongside Paris and the Southwest. “As the week progresses, temperatures will no longer drop below 20°C at night,” warned the Météo-France representative at the Bron station.
Peak Temperatures and Record-Breaking Nights
From Thursday to Sunday, Météo-France predicts temperatures to climb from 34 to 36°C. Records could be broken or closely approached in the Rhône department. “The record in Lyon-Bron is 38.4°C on June 27, 2019. From Sunday, we will be at 36-38°C, approaching records for maximums. The record minimum is 24.7°C on June 30, 2019,” Gabriel Chantrel explained.
It is difficult to predict when this particularly early heatwave, occurring before summer officially begins on June 21, will end. “The symbolic threshold of 40°C is being monitored day by day; the highest temperatures are expected on Sunday, Monday, or beyond. It is not privileged, but we are still watching, as the most pessimistic scenarios do not exclude it,” according to the forecaster.
“The nights will be extremely hot. The most difficult nights will be from Friday morning onwards, reaching 22-25°C, and possibly even 25°C on Sunday morning. In the morning, temperatures could quickly rise towards 30°C,” added Gabriel Chantrel.
First Orange Alert from Wednesday
In response to this heatwave, Météo-France confirmed that an orange heatwave alert will be activated from Wednesday noon, marking the first of the 2026 season. It is expected to last until at least Sunday, possibly extending into early next week.
“The normal temperatures for mid-June in Lyon are a maximum of 25-26°C. Heatwaves are multiplying due to climate change; this is a very clear signal,” he warned. “This wave will be long.”
“Extreme” is Not an Exaggeration
For the meteorologist, describing the upcoming temperatures as “extreme” is not an exaggeration. “In July and August, we expect it to be warmer than normal, and there is an even higher probability of future heatwaves in Lyon. Heatwaves are exacerbated by previous ones, by a lack of rain, and by soil drying.”
Source: actu.fr
