Heatwave: Thirteen regions, primarily in the Southwest, on orange alert from Sunday afternoon

Météo-France Declares Orange Heatwave Alert in Thirteen French Departments

Météo-France has activated the orange heatwave alert level in thirteen French departments, mainly in the Southwest; the Haute-Corse, Savoie, and Haute-Savoie are also affected. The switch to orange alert will take effect from Sunday noon due to a heatwave coming from Spain, the agency announced on Saturday, July 27.

Affected Departments and Temperature Forecasts

The departments concerned include Haute-Corse, Savoie, Haute-Savoie, Corrèze, Dordogne, Gers, Gironde, Haute-Garonne, Landes, Lot, Lot-et-Garonne, Tarn, and Tarn-et-Garonne. Additionally, the northern part of the country will experience high temperatures, “significantly above normal,” and other departments could also move to orange alert status later on.

Anticipated Heatwave Intensity

Forecaster Tristan Amm from Météo-France indicated that the threshold of 40°C could be reached on Monday, potentially exceeding this in certain areas. The heatwave, which will mark the 48th since the post-war period, is expected to affect regions like Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the Midi Toulousain, the hinterlands of Hérault and Gard, and the inner Var.

Continued Spread of Heat

By Tuesday, although temperatures are projected to decrease towards the west, the heat will spread further northward, affecting an area from Centre-Val de Loire to Grand-Est, passing through Île-de-France. The end of this heatwave episode is anticipated by the middle of the following week, with specific details to be clarified in the coming days.

Precautionary Measures

In the event of an orange alert, Météo-France emphasized that everyone is at risk, including individuals in good health. It’s advised that outdoor workers and athletes be cautious of dehydration and heatstroke. The agency highlighted a greater risk for the elderly, those with chronic illnesses or mental health disorders, individuals on medications, and isolated persons. Recommendations include drinking water multiple times a day, avoiding going out during peak heat hours, and limiting physical activities.