French weather authorities recorded widespread extreme heat on Thursday, August 13, as temperatures climbed past 35°C across every metropolitan region, according to data from Météo-France and regional weather stations. The intense heatwave prompted orange heat alerts in at least 80 departments, according to cnews.fr, including the Calvados department, where local stations logged temperatures approaching 40°C before the warning was scheduled to lift on Friday morning.
Peak Temperatures Recorded Across Calvados
In the Calvados department, conditions peaked on Thursday afternoon before a forecasted shift toward slightly less stifling weather heading into the August 15 weekend. According to temperature readings published by the weather tracking site Météociel, coastal areas provided the only notable relief from the extreme air masses.
Inland stations registered significantly higher maximums. Saint-Sylvain and Livarot both peaked at 39.5°C, while Damblainville recorded 39.4°C. Lisieux and Vire each reached 39.3°C, and L’Oudon hit 39°C. Further toward the coast, temperatures moderated somewhat, with Bayeux recording 37.5°C, Caen reaching 37.3°C, and Deauville topping out at 36.5°C. The coolest readings in the department appeared directly along the immediate shoreline at Longues-sur-Mer at 33.4°C, Englesqueville-la-Percée at 33.3°C, Asnelles at 30.9°C, and Bernières-sur-Mer at 29.6°C.
National Temperature Extremes and Overnight Heat
Nationwide, the heatwave maintained severe intensity following a record-breaking Wednesday. Météo-France reported exceptionally warm overnight temperatures heading into Thursday, noting that the mercury failed to drop significantly after sunset. Early morning readings at 5:00 AM included 27.5°C in Nice, 24.5°C in Sète, 23.5°C in Limoges, and 23°C in Rennes.
During the afternoon, maximums reached at least 37°C in every French region. Regional highs hit 37°C in Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise and Guer, while areas like Brionne and Lisieux in Normandy reached 38°C. The highest national temperatures reached 40°C in Saumur within the Pays de la Loire and Le Blanc in Centre-Val de Loire, according to national meteorological bulletins.
Outlook and End of the Orange Alert
The orange alert for Calvados is scheduled to lift at 6:00 AM on Friday, August 14, bringing an end to the current intense heat episode in the department. While temperatures are expected to ease slightly in time for the weekend, meteorological services have warned that storm disruptions remain possible following the departure of the heatwave.
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