Heatwave impacts across France

France is experiencing its first heatwave of the year, with temperatures forecast to reach or exceed 40°C by Sunday. The national weather service, Météo-France, has placed 26 departments on orange alert, covering areas from Paris to the center and east of the country. This weather pattern, which is the 52nd recorded in France since 1947, is expected to last until early next week. Only Brittany and the English Channel coastal regions remain relatively spared from the extreme heat. The rising temperatures have forced the cancellation of 71 Intercités train services by the SNCF. Public health officials warn that these temperatures affect individuals of all ages and coincide with school examinations and various public events. Climate experts attribute the increasing frequency of such events to climate change, noting that current heat records may become the norm by 2050.