February Heatwave Shatters Records in Southwest France

Record-breaking warmth hits Southwest France in February 2026, with temperatures soaring up to 28°C — 12°C above seasonal norms.

Unseasonably warm weather has set new records across the southwest of France this week, with daytime highs climbing to nearly 30°C — extraordinary for late February. According to Météo-France, the warmth “has turned from mild to genuinely hot,” reaching levels more typical of May than midwinter.

Record Temperatures Never Seen in Winter

The highest readings came from towns near the Pyrenees, where temperatures soared well above normal:

Orthez (Pyrénées-Atlantiques): 28.3°C — the highest ever recorded in February, surpassing the 2020 record of 27.1°C.
Biarritz: 27°C — more than 14 degrees above the seasonal average.
Pau: 26°C.
Mont-de-Marsan: 25°C.
Toulouse: 22°C.

Even outside the southwest, unusually high minimum temperatures were recorded — for example, 12.2°C in Beauvais and 11.8°C in Margny-lès-Compiègne, both record highs for overnight lows in February.

A Peak of Warmth Across France

Meteorologists expected the heatwave to peak on Wednesday, February 25, with temperatures running 10 to 12°C above average across much of France.

In the southwest, highs between 21°C and 25°C were forecast.
National temperatures have stayed above the seasonal norm for 42 consecutive days — an unusually long stretch for winter.
Météo-France anticipated that February 2026 would rank among the three warmest Februaries since 1930, averaging +3.4°C above normal.

Climate Change in the Background

Experts emphasize that climate change is the driving force behind these increasingly frequent winter warm spells in France.
France is warming faster than the global average, and early-season heat events are now happening weeks ahead of their historical timelines.

For example:

Between 1950 and 1970, Paris typically saw its first 25°C day around May 6.
Today, that milestone arrives nearly three weeks earlier — around April 19.

This persistent warmth is linked to southerly air flows from North Africa, while a stable high-pressure system keeps colder air trapped further northeast in Europe.

Why It Matters

These temperature anomalies have real-world consequences:

Early blossoming in orchards, increasing risk of frost damage if cold snaps return.
Agricultural imbalances affecting crops and wine production.
Ecological stress on wildlife adapted to colder seasons.
Rising demand for water resources as evaporation rates increase earlier in the year.

Looking Ahead

While the warmth may feel pleasant for now, meteorologists warn that consistent winter heatwaves signal a deepening climate trend.
Météo-France and environmental agencies continue to urge reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to slow the rate of temperature rise — before what was once “exceptional” becomes completely routine.