France faces first heatwave of the year

France is experiencing its first heatwave of the year, which Météo-France identifies as the 52nd such event since 1947. Currently, over half of the country is under a yellow heat alert, with temperatures ranging from 30 to 35 degrees Celsius in most regions. Southwest, central-west, and central-east areas are expected to reach peaks of 36 to 37 degrees Celsius. Only Brittany and the English Channel coastal regions remain unaffected for now. Starting Thursday, authorities may upgrade the alert level to orange for areas extending from the Paris basin to the center of the country. Forecaster Christelle Robert warns that temperatures could hit 40 degrees Celsius by Sunday, coinciding with the Fête de la Musique. Météo-France links the increasing frequency of these weather events to climate change.