Fourth

A new heatwave is expected to take hold across France starting Tuesday, 28 July, initially affecting the south-west before quickly spreading to cover three-quarters of the country. Forecasters warn that this episode will be particularly intense and likely to last longer than previously predicted, with exceptionally high temperatures expected to persist at least until the weekend of 1 and 2 August.[1]

By Wednesday, the heatwave is set to extend to much of France. From the south-west to the centre, temperatures could approach 40°C, while Paris and the north-east are likely to see readings well above 35°C. The highest temperatures are forecast along a south-west to north-east axis, with peaks of 40 to 41°C possible and widespread values between 35 and 38°C from Wednesday through Friday. Nights will offer little respite, with conditions becoming increasingly uncomfortable.[1]

The national thermal index, an average of minimum and maximum temperatures from 30 cities, is projected to reach 28.4°C on Thursday and 28.3°C on Friday, exceeding the peak recorded in mid-July, though still below the unprecedented 30°C mark registered at the end of June. Forecasters remain uncertain as to when the heatwave will end, with some models suggesting extreme temperatures could persist until as late as 5 or 6 August.[1]

The fourth heatwave. The first was in June. The second was at the end of June, when the national thermal index hit 30°C for the first time. The third was in mid-July, when Luxembourg had seven consecutive days of yellow alert, when the apples started burning, when the corn was half gone, when the water levels hit record lows, when the fires started every night. The third is not over. The thunderstorms on Sunday will bring brief relief. Then Monday, high pressure returns. Tuesday, the fourth begins. 40 degrees. 41 degrees. Nights that offer little respite. The forecast says the heatwave could last until August 5 or 6. That is two weeks. The fourth heatwave in a summer that started in June. The apples are already burning. The drinking water is already on the orchards. The fires in France and Spain have already forced 270,000 people from their homes. The fourth heatwave is coming, and the ground is already dry, and the reservoirs are not built, and the apples are already burning, and the summer is not over.[1]