Summer appears to have officially settled in along the French Riviera, and the mercury is climbing fast. According to the latest projection from the ARPEGE 12z model, temperatures are set to rise even further heading into the weekend—with a heatwave potentially breaking records.
Météo Côte d’Azur, the official weather service for the region, said in a post on social media on Thursday evening that in the Centre Var, thermometers could hit a sweltering +40°C on Sunday, with the high heat making its presence felt as early as Saturday.
Although we’re accustomed to June being warm, we’re already “well above seasonal norms” for this month, although it follows a trend of increasingly intense early-summer temperatures being recorded across southern France.
The weather service urged caution, especially for those sensitive to high temperatures. The meteo said: “Stay hydrated, keep cool, and protect yourself. A reminder that costs nothing but can prevent a lot of discomfort.” (Limit sun exposure during peak hours, and read naturopathic nutritionist Erica’s tips on protecting your skin in the summer sun.)
The weather service will continue to track this developing heatwave and updates will be posted, plus you can check via their free app: Previ+ app.
While many embrace the Riviera summer with open arms (and glasses of rosé), not everyone’s a fan of the sizzling season. Sam at the Côte d’Azur Meteo confessed: “Summer isn’t my favourite season… I admit, I’m already looking forward to autumn’s return.”
Stay safe, stay cool—and enjoy the long, golden days while they last. Remember next week (21 June) is the summer solstice (longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere), and Fete de la Musique will fill the summer air with music.
