France’s Extreme Heat Sets Back-to-Back All-Time Records for Third Straight Day

France is burning and the thermometers keep climbing. The country just lived through three of the hottest days ever recorded in its meteorological history.

Record-Breaking Heat Grips France for a Second Consecutive Day

France’s brutal heatwave shows absolutely no sign of cooling down. The scorching temperatures held at record levels on Thursday for the second day in a row. Wednesday had already made history, with the national average daily temperature hitting a staggering 30 degrees Celsius. That shattered Tuesday’s previous record of 29.9 degrees Celsius.

“With a nationwide temperature average of 30 degrees Celsius, Thursday became alongside Wednesday the hottest day ever recorded in French meteorological history,” BFMTV reported.

This means Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday together form the three hottest days ever measured across France.

Authorities Raise Highest Weather Alert Across Most of the Country

France’s national weather service moved quickly to respond. Officials declared the highest level of weather danger across 72 of the country’s 96 mainland departments. That figure itself set a new record never before had so many French departments faced the top-tier heat alert simultaneously.

The heatwave has been hitting France hard across all regions. Schools, outdoor workers, and vulnerable populations face the most serious risks. More than 800 schools across France had already cancelled classes earlier this week a move taken to protect children from the dangerous heat.

Paris Residents Seek Relief Wherever They Can

In Paris, city dwellers packed into public fountains and cool spaces to escape the heat. The gardens of the Trocadéro famous for their fountains near the Eiffel Tower turned into impromptu cooling spots. Residents splashed in the water just to survive the day.

The images of people wading in Parisian fountains underline just how serious this heatwave has become. France is not simply experiencing a warm spell it is living through a full-scale climate emergency.