Heat wave 2025: France experiences deadly temperatures again!

Heat wave 2025: France experiences deadly temperatures again!

The heat wave in France, which began on June 19, 2025 and ended on July 4, has not only brought temperatures above normal, but has also brought with it a variety of health challenges. This heat wave lasted 16 days, the same length as the infamous summer heat wave of 2003, which was linked to 15,000 premature deaths. The current temperatures in the country were a preliminary 23°C on July 5th, which already provides an insight into the heat stress of the summer. [Franceinfo](https://www.franceinfo.fr/environnement/evenements-meteorologiques-extremes/vagues-de-chaleur-can icules/la-vague-de-chaleur-officiellement-terminee-vendredi-a-ete-aussi-longue-que-celle-de-2003_7360311.html) reports that this heat wave was the 50th since 1947, with 33 of them occurring in the 21st century.

Additionally, June 2025 was recorded as the second warmest since 1900, resulting in a significant increase in heat stress. The frequency of such extreme weather events is seen as a direct result of the burning of fossil fuels, and the forecast is anything but rosy - a new heatwave is expected from July 11th in the north of the country, accompanied by a hot weekend around July 14th.

Health effects

The health consequences of extreme heat should not be underestimated. According to a report by [Santé Publique France](https://www.santepubliquefrance.fr/determinants-de-sante/climat/fortes-chaleurs-canicule/documents/rapport-synthese/vague-de -chaleur-de-l-ete-2003-relations-entre-temperature-pollution-atmosphérique-et-mortalite-dans-neuf-villes-francaises.-rapport-d-etude) The 2003 heat wave was associated with unprecedented short-term excess mortality. The data shows that the high temperatures not only increase mortality but also affect air quality. In the summer of 2003, an extraordinary weather phenomenon led to massive ozone pollution, which, combined with high temperatures, had devastating effects on health.

Experts draw attention to the need to better prepare for such events. Since the heat wave in 2003, corresponding prevention and management tools have been improved. The goals of these initiatives are to minimize the risks to the population and to provide better information about protective measures against heat.

Climate change and health risks

Climate change as an overarching cause is increasingly seen as the greatest health threat to humanity. The World Health Organization has found that heat waves are becoming more frequent and intense, leading to an increase in heat-related deaths. In the summer of 2023, over 47,000 people died in Europe due to extreme temperatures, while in Germany around 3,000 people died from heat in each of 2023 and 2024, mostly older citizens with pre-existing illnesses.

But the effects of global warming go far beyond the heat. The spread of the Asian tiger mosquito, which carries tropical diseases such as dengue and Zika fever, is just another example of the health risks. Given the warnings from health authorities, it is to be hoped that effective mitigation measures will be taken to significantly reduce the number of future heat-related deaths.