Alerts issued in France as intense heat wave envelops

The sunset had an orange glow and so does the new heat alert level for Paris.

More than half of France, including around Paris, was placed on an orange alert for intense heat Monday the second-highest level on the scale as very hot temperatures were predicted across continental Europe this week.

The national weather agency Meteo France said the heat wave beginning Monday is expected to last all week with temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) across the country just as the summer tourist season shifts into high gear. The peak is expected Thursday.

In Paris, charity organizations were patrolling the streets to provide water to homeless people and local authorities organized air-conditioned places where the public can seek shelter.

French Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer, deciding it was too hot to study, ordered national exams by students heading to high school postponed from Thursday and Friday to next week.

Meteorologists say the heat wave is ...