A vast swath of North Africa, the Middle East and southwestern Europe is bracing for an intense heatwave this weekend, according to separate warnings issued by national weather agencies. In Algeria, the National Meteorological Office has placed multiple northern and interior wilayas under a level-two alert for temperatures forecast to reach 43–45°C, while Morocco’s General Directorate of Meteorology has issued an orange vigilance alert for heat affecting provinces from the eastern region to the Sahara. Iranian meteorological authorities report that temperatures in Tehran are expected to peak at 38°C on Saturday and 40°C on Sunday, with the cities of Qom and Bandar Abbas also forecast to experience extreme warmth. In France, forecasters at La Chaîne Météo anticipate a heat dome will push temperatures to 43°C on Monday in the south-west, with some models suggesting a potential 45°C by Tuesday afternoon.

The heat is accompanied by severe convective weather in several countries. The Algerian office warned of thunderstorm-bearing rainfalls across 20 wilayas, including the interior and coastal zones, with downpours that could trigger local flash flooding. Morocco’s meteorological service similarly predicted thunderstorm cells over the Middle Atlas and eastern regions, accompanied by hail and strong wind gusts, with 20–30 mm of rain possible in areas such as Khénifra, El Hajeb, Ifrane and Séfrou. Iranian authorities have issued a separate marine warning for the eastern Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, where wind speeds could reach 20–24 knots and wave heights up to 1.5 metres, posing risks to fishing vessels and offshore installations.

The duration of the heat event varies by region. Algerian and Moroccan alerts extend into early next week, with some provinces forecast to endure peak temperatures until Tuesday or even Wednesday. In France, the heat is expected to build through Monday and Tuesday before potentially easing from the north on Thursday as a cooler air mass moves in from the English Channel, though forecasters stress this remains uncertain. Iranian projections indicate five days of scattered rainfall in the northern highlands but no significant precipitation for the rest of the country, with strong winds and dust expected in the east and north-east over the same period.

All warnings are based on official bulletins and are subject to revision as the meteorological situation evolves. No immediate casualties or damage have been reported, and authorities continue to urge residents in affected areas to take precautions against heatstroke and hazardous weather.