France has recorded its warmest spring since official temperature records began in 1900, according to national forecaster Météo-France, marking another significant climate milestone in 2026.
The agency reported an average seasonal temperature of 13.8°C (56.8°F), representing a +1.7°C anomaly compared with long-term seasonal norms. This makes spring 2026 the hottest on record, surpassing previous highs registered in 2011 and 2020.
The season was strongly influenced by an unusually early and intense heatwave in late May, which authorities described as unprecedented for that time of year. A large heat dome over western Europe contributed to widespread temperature spikes across the country.
Several regions experienced extreme conditions, with temperatures reaching more than 37°C (98.6°F), including a peak of 37.8°C in southwestern areas. On May 26, the national average temperature hit 24.9°C, the highest ever recorded for that month.
For the first time since the heat alert system was introduced in 2004, authorities issued an early-season heat warning in May due to the severity of conditions.
Météo-France noted that such early and intense heat events are becoming more frequent, consistent with broader climate change trends affecting Europe.
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