The heat wave, started last Friday, continues this Wednesday, August 13. Nine departments go from red vigilance to orange, while five remain on maximum alert.
The heat wave continues in France, with an expected peak this Wednesday, August 13, in the center-east. Nine departments then on red alert Tuesday go in orange from 6 a.m. These are: Haute-Garonne, Tarn, Tarn-et-Garonne, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne, Gers, Lot, Dordogne and Gironde.
Aude, Rhône, Isère, Drome and Ardèche remain in red vigilance. Most of France will be in orange vigilance. Temperatures soften in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Charente-Maritime, Deux-Sèvres, Vienne and Indre-et-Loire which go from orange to yellow vigilance. Points at 40 ° C are planned in Burgundy. In Paris, it will still be around 35/36 ° C.
With these strong heat, a risk of locally violent thunderstorms is expected, from the southwest to the north, as well as on the south-eastern quarter of the country.
Up to 36 ° C in Paris
Monday and Tuesday were the “hottest days” according to Météo-France, with maximum temperatures “often remarkable, even unprecedented”, exceeding the seasonal normals by 12 degrees. A 120-year-old record was thus broken in Sauternes (Gironde), where 42.5 ° C was recorded against 41.8 ° C in August 1906. Other thresholds of August 2003 were also crossed, notably in Angoulême-la-Couronne (Charente) with 42.3 ° C and Bergerac (Dordogne) with 42.1 ° C Monday.
And the heat episode is not about to end. It could last “at least” until August 15 weekend. The weather channel provides a peak between August 11 and 13, with more tropical nights. Only a few departments in the North should escape the heat wave. This heat wave is linked to an ancient tropical depression, Dexter. Located at the Atlantic level, it brings up very hot air from North Africa and Spain.
An “extreme” heat wave
The passage of a department in red vigilance, decided jointly by Météo-France and the government, points out “an extreme heat wave, exceptional by its duration, its intensity and its geographical extent”, with a strong health impact on the entire population and societal consequences (drought, tension on the supply of drinking water, adaptation or stop of certain activities, etc.). In this context, prefects can put in place protective measures, such as the prohibition or adaptation of events, or even specific instructions for crèches and leisure centers.
Thus, it is important to remain vigilant. Fires have been hitting the south of France since the start of summer and the heat accentuates drought, a risk factor for fire departures. Météo-France reports a high danger in the center-west and around the Mediterranean, and even very high in the Vaucluse.
Avoid smoking in nature, do not put your butts on the ground, avoid barbecues, works and everything that is a source of spark close to vegetation. It is also important to watch over the most fragile: children, sick or disabled and elderly. Be sure to protect yourself from the sun, with sunscreen, covering clothes and a hat, as well as to hydrate yourself very regularly. Also pay attention to animals that can suffer from this heat.
