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Heat in Europe/ Tropical nights before the start of summer

2026-05-27 08:42:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

In the port city of Saint-Malo in Brittany, which is usually still relatively cool at this time of year, the thermometer reached 34 degrees again on Tuesday (26.05.2026). Similar high temperatures are also being experienced in Rennes. Local residents and surprised tourists have already experienced the first tropical nights of the year, even before summer has even started.

Katou Blaise, a nurse in the emergency room at the university hospital in Rennes, says: "We are being brought in by many elderly people who are dehydrated."

In the western French city of Nantes, the French meteorological service also measured a temperature of 36 degrees Celsius – significantly higher than the previous day, when a new May record of 34.3 degrees Celsius was set in the city. Previous records for this period are being broken one after another – in Brest, Angers and even Bergerac in southwestern France.

Historical value

The state meteorological service Météo-France also noted at the national level that Monday recorded the highest temperatures ever for a month of May since measurements began in France.

Climatologist Matthieu Sorel from Météo-France told the AFP news agency: "We are talking about an extraordinary episode, historically unprecedented. All superlatives are justified to describe this current meteorological phase."

Météo-France points out that these heat levels at this time of year are a clear consequence of climate change. 30 or 40 years ago, such temperatures in May would not have been possible.

Heatwave also in Great Britain

While many Britons are rejoicing over record temperatures in May, the national meteorological service is expressing concern and warning that this is concrete evidence of how the effects of climate change are being felt.

Five dead in water accidents

French government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon spoke of seven deaths that "could be directly or indirectly linked to the current heat wave." Five of them occurred during water accidents, while two others occurred during sporting activities in Paris and the Lyon area.

A day earlier, authorities had announced that a 56-year-old German woman had lost her life on the Atlantic coast during the Pentecost holiday, after being swept away by strong currents at sea.

Even in the Paris area, many people have headed towards rivers and lakes, causing dangerous situations.

Impact on the French Open as well

The French Open tennis tournament in Paris is also being affected by high temperatures, which are making it difficult for players and the public. The Roland Garros courts were measured at 33 degrees. French media are asking whether matches should be interrupted frequently or whether the tournament can continue normally in these conditions.

In addition, as temperatures rise, air quality is also deteriorating. Ozone levels have been exceeded in the Paris area and the Rhone Valley. In southern France, firefighters have called for increased vigilance against forest fires, warning that the risk level is now similar to that of July.

Temperatures are expected to rise further

French Health Minister Stéphanie Riss warned that the heatwave also poses a risk to young people, especially athletes. Eight departments are already on the second highest level of heat warning, and the number is expected to rise to 13.

For Thursday (28.05.2026), Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has called a government meeting to make an initial assessment of the situation. Meanwhile, the heat wave is spreading further towards the southwest of France. Météo-France reported that temperatures could reach "locally 38 to 39 degrees" in the coming days./ DW