HEAT JULY 2023. A heat wave is currently affecting several French departments. High temperatures are difficult to bear, especially for the most vulnerable. Special hot weather map and advice.
[Mise à jour le 10 juillet 2023 à 14h17] A scorching episode “not exceptional for the season” precise Meteo France affects France at the moment, July 10, 2023, 25 departments are on alert in Heat Wave Yellow and 7 departments on Orange alert. “Temperatures remain very high from Alsace to Auvergne Rhône-Alpes and the Mediterranean regions.” On Monday, the highs will be up on PACA with values from 37 to 40 degrees. it will still be very hot as well Rhône-Alpes with 35 to 38 degrees. For the night from Monday to Tuesday, the temperatures will not drop not below 20 degrees over all these regions and even 22 to 24 degrees near the Mediterranean. On Tuesday, the maximum will drop in PACA but may rise in Rhône-Alpes with 39 degree tips. Extreme heat, day and night, for several days, puts the body to the test. The children and the elderly people are very vulnerable to high temperatures and special attention should be paid to them. Reminder of government instructions and recommendations in the event of a heat wave to avoid heatstroke, dehydration…
What is the definition of heatwave?
Word “heat wave” comes from Latin “caniculawhich means “little female dog”. Canicula is the name given to the star Sirius (which comes from the Greek “seirius”, meaning “burning”, “fiery”). which is located in the constellation Canis Major. Star that rises and sets with the sun from July 22 to August 22, a period characteristic of high temperatures. The heat wave is associated with very high temperatures day and night for an extended period, usually ofat least 3 consecutive days. We recense 45 heat waves in France since 1947, remember Meteo France. Over the last 35 years, they have been 3 times more numerous than over the previous 35 years. The number of days of heat waves has been multiplied by 9: “The frequency and intensity of heat waves are set to increase in the coming decades. The frequency of events is expected to double by 2050.”
2023 heat wave map
Météo France places the departments of Var, Loire, Rhône, Ain, Isère, Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes de Hautes Provence in orange vigilance until July 11, 2023.
From what temperature do we speak of a heat wave?
The heat wave is associated with very high temperatures day and night for an extended period, usually ofat least 3 consecutive days. Meteorologically, it is exceptional nature of high night temperatures which marks the duration of a heatwave episode. Temperature and duration thresholds are defined and vary according to the departments, explains Meteo France.
For example : in Toulouse, Météo-France speaks of a heat wave when for 3 days and 3 nights we do not go back below 21°C minimum and we exceed 36°C maximum during the day.
Recommendations: what to do in the event of a heat wave?
- Drink water and stay cool
- Avoid alcohol
- Eat enough
- Close shutters and windows during the day, ventilate at night.
- Wet the body (warm but not cold shower)
- Give and take news of loved ones.
What does “yellow, orange and red vigilance” mean in the event of a heat wave?
Departmental weather forecasts are analyzed every day during the summer by Météo-France. The results of this analysis allow Météo-France to establish the weather vigilance map which is broadcast every day at 4 p.m.
► The yellow vigilance level corresponds to two situations:
- a heat spike: short-term exposure (1 or 2 days) to intense heat
- a persistent episode of heat but which remains below the alert thresholds
These two situations present a risk for human health, for fragile or overexposed populations, in particular because of their working conditions or their physical activity.
► The orange vigilance level corresponds to a heat wave: period of intense heat for which the averages over 3 consecutive days of night and day temperatures reach or exceed departmental thresholds, and which is likely to constitute a health risk, particularly for fragile or overexposed people.
► The red vigilance level corresponds to an extreme heat wave : exceptional heat wave in terms of its duration, its intensity, its geographical extension, with a strong health impact for all types of population, and which can lead to the appearance of collateral effects, particularly in terms of business continuity.
What are the dangers of heat waves on health?
Prolonged exposure to heat is a major stress for the body, reminds the Ministry of Health. THE human body tries to adapt to it. He sweat more and the blood vessels dilate. If it is unable to maintain its temperature around 37°C when it is very hot or if body fluids or salts are not adequately replaced, several problems can arise:
Extreme heat can also aggravate pre-existing illnesses, being responsible for heat-related illnesses. Taking certain medications can make heat-related effects worse, especially in people at risk.
► Cramps, nausea, inexplicable state of fatigue, severe headache, incoherent talk or high fever: Call 15
Heat stroke and heat wave
Heat stroke corresponds to overheating of the body: it can no longer cope with the increase in internal temperature linked to high temperatures. Cramps, headaches, hot, flushed skin… The first warning signs that must grow to call 15.
Dehydration and heat wave
Puffs of sweat when drinking a glass of water, absence of urine for 5 hours or dark urine, dry lips… Beware of dehydration, which is particularly common in the event of a heat wave. Concretely: a person who sweats and does not drink enough becomes dehydrated. His body lacks water and becomes dehydrated. The elderly are most at risk.
Hyponatremia
For the elderly, patients with chronic diseases, patients taking certain medications (diuretics, neuroleptics, antidepressants): hyponatremia (decrease in the concentration of salt in the blood) is a risk increased in hot weather.
Who are the vulnerable people during the heat wave?
The people most at risk in the event of a heat wave are: people over the age of 65 (when you are oldthe body sweats little and has difficulty maintaining itself at 37°C). and infants and children under 4 years of age (the body sweats a lot to maintain the right temperature, the child loses water and risks dehydration). Next come: people with strong physical activity, those working in the heat (bakery, laundry, construction, etc.) and the homeless.
Heat wave map
Each year, the heat wave plan is activated in France June 1 and until September 15.
What are the dates of heat waves in France?
Since 2015, the heat waves have increase in frequency and intensity in France with an occurrence earlier (in June) or later (late August-early September) during the summer period. Among the main heat waves in June in Francethose of june 1947, 1976, 20032005, 2006. There was no heat wave in France during the summer of 2021.
► August 2022 : a heatwave episode affected France from July 31 to August 14.
► July 2022: a heatwave episode hit France between 12 and 20 July.
► June 2022: the heat wave episode began on June 15, 2022 and affected 71 departments. 70% of the metropolitan population experienced at least one day of orange heat wave vigilance. 14 departments have also been placed on red heat wave alert for at least one day, i.e. 12.5% of the population. This episode was unprecedented in its precocity and intensity. Several temperature records for the month of June and also in absolute terms were recorded.
► 2019 between June 24 and July 7 and July 21 and 27. According to bulletin published by Santé Publique France in September, 1435 deaths were observed during this heat wave. The most affected are the over 75s, but the age groups 15-44 and 65-74 were also impacted.
► JJune 2005 and 2006 with temperatures often between 35 and 40°Cin particular in the south-east and in the Rhône valley (more than 30°C every day in Lyon in 2006).
►AAugust 2003. Its intensity, duration and geographical extent had been exceptional. She had caused 15,000 additional deaths compared to the usual mortality for this period of the year in France.
► Other memorable heat waves: that of July 1983 “longest observed” remember Meteo FranceAnd those of the summer of 1947 and 1976.
When does the heat wave occur in France?
The heat wave occurs at different times depending on the country. In France, the period of high temperatures that can lead to a heat wave can start from end of June and continue until August 15.
What is the toll-free number in the event of a heat wave?
THE hotline toll-free number info service can be reached at 0800 06 66 66 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (free).