France is currently experiencing an unusually severe drought in mid-September, with no rainfall expected in the coming weeks. The summer of 2026 has been recorded as the hottest and driest in the country since 1962, with a 40% shortfall in rainfall compared to the average for June, July, and August. According to the BRGM, France's national geological survey, 61% of groundwater levels are below average, and as of September 1, 44% of rivers observed were either dry or had significantly reduced flow, according to the French Office for Biodiversity. Météo-France, the national weather service, has warned that the national soil drought indicator is at a level never seen for mid-September in many regions, with only the southern part of the country unaffected. Since the start of September, there has been only one day of precipitation recorded nationwide. Light rains at the end of August provided only a temporary improvement in soil conditions. To help alleviate the drought, sustained and regular rainfall is needed to allow water to seep into the soil rather than evaporating. However, current forecasts suggest no such rainfall in the near future. A high-pressure system from the Azores is expected to return, bringing warm, sunny, and dry conditions that could last into early October. Temperatures remain high, with a heat peak expected on Tuesday, reaching up to 36°C along the Garonne River. Although temperatures may drop slightly, they will still be above the seasonal average, especially in the south. This will worsen soil drought by increasing evapotranspiration, the process by which water is lost from the soil and plants through evaporation and plant transpiration. The combination of prolonged drought and high temperatures has raised the risk of wildfires. Météo-France reports that the fire danger level remains high in the Mediterranean region due to wind and dry conditions, and has now spread to moderate levels across much of the country. As of Wednesday, a large part of the territory is in "moderate risk," with five departments classified in "high risk" and one, the Aude, in "very high risk." The drought has led to significant water restrictions, with 64,000 residents still needing water delivered by tankers or bottled water for drinking, cooking, and washing. The Garonne River has reached an "enhanced alert" level due to low rainfall and high temperatures, prompting new restrictions on water use, especially in agriculture. The effects of the drought are also visible in the market, with smaller or imperfect fruits and vegetables becoming more common, and a significant drop in mussel production due to a lack of nutrients in the water.