Heatwaves Could Increase Fivefold by 2050 – French Weather Agency
The Chief Executive Officer of France’s weather agency, Météo-France, Virginie Schwarz, has warned that heatwaves could become five times more frequent by 2050 due to climate change.
Schwarz said France had experienced more heatwaves in the past 15 years than during the previous 60 years.
She added that projections indicate a fivefold increase in heatwaves by 2050 and a tenfold increase by 2100 if current climate trends continue.
According to her, the severe heatwaves and wildfires experienced across France this summer are part of a long-term warming trend rather than isolated events.
She explained that climate change is already altering average weather conditions, increasing the likelihood of exceptionally hot years.
Scientists say climate change is making extreme weather events, including droughts, floods and heatwaves, more frequent and intense, with Europe identified as the world’s fastest-warming continent.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that June 2026 was the hottest June ever recorded in Western Europe, contributing to thousands of excess deaths.
Climate scientist Jean-Pascal van Ypersele urged governments to strengthen climate adaptation and prevention measures.
He warned that delaying investments in climate action would result in higher economic costs and greater loss of lives.
Van Ypersele stressed the need to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and promote more resilient ecosystems through better forest management and biodiversity.
Alexander Held of the European Forest Institute said the current wildfire crisis had long been predicted by scientists.
He noted that governments continue to spend more on disaster response than on prevention.
Held called for improved management of forests, farmland, water resources and vegetation to reduce wildfire risks and improve resilience.
Meanwhile, a recent study by the World Weather Attribution group found that human-induced climate change had intensified drought conditions across Europe.
The researchers said rising temperatures, rather than reduced rainfall alone, had accelerated moisture loss from soils, rivers and lakes.
The study concluded that a warmer atmosphere is increasing drought risks even in regions where seasonal rainfall remains stable or rises.
Human activities, particularly the burning of coal, oil and gas, have warmed the planet by about 1.4 degrees Celsius since the late 19th century, scientists said.
