Air quality improves in parts of France as heatwave eases

Air quality is beginning to improve in several parts of France as temperatures start to drop and the early heatwave that affected much of the country this week eases.

In several regions, restrictions had been introduced to monitor pollution levels and prevent air quality from worsening further as ozone concentrations reached unusually high levels for the end of May.

The regions most impacted were Île-de-France, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, where high temperatures and strong sunshine created favourable conditions for ozone pollution. 

While the peak of the pollution episode was recorded on May 27 and 28, the situation is now beginning to improve in some areas, although restrictions remain in place in others.

In Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the situation began stabilising from Thursday. Authorities confirmed that the pollution episode in the Loire department, particularly around the Saint-Étienne basin, officially ended on May 28 as air quality improved across much of the region.

The departments most affected were Rhône, Loire and Isère, where ozone vigilance alerts had been activated during the hottest days of the week. Around Lyon and Grenoble, high temperatures and intense sunshine created favourable conditions for ozone formation, while traffic and industrial emissions contributed to pollution levels.

Emergency pollution measures in the In Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region introduced earlier in the week were lifted at midnight on Thursday, although authorities warned that air quality could still remain locally degraded in some urban areas.

In Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, concerns about ozone levels were focused on the departments of Bouches-du-Rhône, Vaucluse and Alpes-Maritimes, where temperatures exceeded 30C.

Conditions began to improve from May 27 with the arrival of a light mistral wind, which helped disperse pollutants and ease restrictions.

Although air quality has improved since then, ozone levels have remained locally elevated around major urban centres such as Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, where traffic emissions continue to contribute during warm weather.

In Île-de-France, however, pollution control measures remain in place as ozone levels continue to be monitored in the Paris metropolitan area. The Prefect of Police extended emergency restrictions from Thursday, May 28, until at least Saturday, May 30, due to persistent elevated concentrations.

The measures include reduced speed limits, reinforced traffic enforcement and restrictions on the circulation of older vehicles within parts of the A86 perimeter. Industrial operators have also been asked to reduce emissions, while residents are advised to limit activities that may worsen air quality during the alert period.

According to Atmo France, ozone pollution episodes are appearing earlier in the year as heatwaves become more frequent and more intense across France.

Authorities continue to advise vulnerable residents, including children, elderly people and those with respiratory conditions, to avoid intense outdoor activity during the hottest hours of the day and to monitor local air quality forecasts over the coming days.

You can see the air quality in your department for today and tomorrow here.