France braces for 40°C heatwave as temperatures soar to record levels

Twenty-three departments across France have been put on high alert with temperatures expected to hit over 40°C by the weekend, reports RFI.

The mercury reached between 30°C and 35°C in the southern half of France as a heatwave that arrived from Spain makes its way across the country.

However, the worst is yet to come with temperatures expected to go over the 40°C mark by Friday.

Forecaster Météo-France has activated the orange "heatwave alert" for 23 departments across the south-west, from Anjou to the Pyrenées, including a "heat dome" in the Drôme/Ardèche regions.

A heat dome occurs when an area of high pressure remains over the same region for days or weeks, trapping very warm air underneath, like a lid on a pot.

Read more of this report from RFI.