France warns that strong storms could end deadly heat wave

France warns that strong storms could end deadly heat wave Andrew Zinin Lead Editor France's weather service warned Saturday that strong storms could mark the end of a record-breaking heat wave blamed for a number of deaths across northern Europe. France, Britain and Portugal have all recorded their hottest days ever for the month of May during the heat wave. Temperatures remained above 33C in the Paris region Saturday and several other parts of France were above 30C. The Meteo-France weather service said that "the arrival of a slightly cooler air mass" would bring down temperatures on Saturday night. But it warned of storms across northern France that would be "localized but sometimes strong with hail and wind gusts" of more than 80 kilometers (50 miles) an hour. It said huge crowds packing the streets of Paris for the Arsenal-Paris Saint-Germain Champions League football final, as well as the French Open tennis and major concerts should be wary of weather alerts. France recorded its highest temperature of 37.8C in the Charente department. The heat saw train services canceled and power cuts in some cities. Some deaths in France and Britain were blamed on the heat. Meteo-France specialist Mattieu Sorel said it was "highly likely" that the country would see more extreme heat waves this summer. © 2026 AFP