May 1, 2025, will go down as one of the hottest ever recorded in the French capital. In Paris, temperatures soared past the symbolic 30°C mark, setting a new record high for May Day since measurements began in 1873. The previous record, set in 2005, stood at 28.7°C. According to Météo-France, the day’s temperatures were 13°C above seasonal norms.
Paris wasn’t alone in experiencing the heatwave. Cities like Lille, Rouen, Reims, Troyes, and Amiens also broke or matched local temperature records. The spike was driven by a strong high-pressure system centered over northern France, bringing clear skies and calm winds — ideal conditions for rapid warming from early afternoon.
Meteorologists note that while warm spring days are not unusual, their increasing frequency and intensity signal a troubling trend. In Paris, the average date for the first 25°C day has shifted from early May in the 1970s to around April 19 today — a two-week advance in just 50 years that reflects the acceleration of local climate change.
Part of a broader pattern
This scorching May Day follows a string of extreme weather events across Europe in 2025. April was already ranked among the warmest months ever recorded on the continent, with unusually high temperatures across Spain, Italy, and the Balkans. On Thursday, Paris topped the list as the hottest European capital, outpacing Madrid and Rome.
But the summerlike conditions won’t last. Severe thunderstorms are forecast to arrive over the weekend, bringing a sharp drop in temperatures. In Paris, highs could plummet by nearly 15°C, with Sunday expected to see maximum temperatures of just 14°C, according to Météo-France.
For climatologists, these early heatwaves are clear warning signs. France’s average temperature has already risen by 1.7°C since the pre-industrial era, and the trend is expected to worsen unless stronger action is taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.